Ireland

Girl (6) who was critically injured in Parnell Square stabbing to spend Christmas at home

Girl who was critically injured and spent most of year in Temple Street Children’s Hospital is sleeping in her own bed and playing with her toys

Gardaí at the scene of the attack in Parnell Square last November. Photograph: Collins
Gardaí at the scene of the attack in Parnell Square last November. Photograph: Collins
Sarah Slater
Mon Dec 16 2024 - 20:29

The parents of a young girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing on Parnell Square in Dublin in November 2023 have said their “little girl” is now in her third week at home and that “Christmas will be special this year”.

The girl, aged five at the time of the attack, was critically injured and spent most of a year at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and in subsequent rehabilitation, before being released.

The family have been sharing updates on a GoFundMe page, set up following the incident, which has raised over €121,000.

In their most recent update on Monday, her parents said their daughter is “already used to sleeping in her bed every day”, and that they now understand “how much having a routine helps with her development”.

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They continued: “She is becoming accustomed to being in her stander, playing with her toys, and announcing when something is not okay.”

Her parents highlighted how “important” it is for her to feel that they “understand her sounds and looks” and that they have managed to put together some activities which are manageable given her home environment.

“Christmas will be special this year,” they added.

Her parents last month explained they “strongly believe” that, despite medical assessments and reports, she “understands everything we say to her”.

“She has made great progress, and we don’t wish her to stop. Only time will truly tell. Some people with acquired brain injuries have still shown change and improvement up to 10 years later. We’ve got time.”

The multiple stabbings outside Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square left two other young children and a carer injured.

Riad Bouchaker (50) is currently before the courts charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of producing and possessing a kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm and one of assault causing serious harm.