Hearing held over whether man charged with Dublin attack fit to stand trial

A hearing was held on Monday to determine whether a man who is charged with attempting to murder three children in 2023 is fit to stand trial.

Riad Bouchaker, 51, of no fixed abode, was charged with the attempted murder of two female children and one male child in an incident that took place at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23 2023.

He was also charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker.

He was further charged with three counts of assault causing harm as well as the possession and production of a 36cm kitchen knife.

On Monday, the Central Criminal Court heard medical and psychiatric evidence on whether Mr Bouchaker is fit to stand trial.

Mr Bouchaker was present in court for the proceedings which were translated for him by an Arabic interpreter.

A further hearing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt will be held on Tuesday afternoon.

A five-year-old girl and a woman in her 30s were left in a critical condition in hospital after the attack near a school on November 23.

Two other young children, a five-year-old boy and six-year-old girl, were also injured.

The attack happened hours before a riot broke out in the city centre of the capital.