Accused in Dublin child stabbing trial said attack was unintentional

A man standing trial over a knife attack on children in the capital claimed the incident was not deliberate, footage of his first police interview has revealed.

Accused in Dublin child stabbing trial said attack was unintentional

Footage shown to jurors at the Central Criminal Court captured a 52-year-old man telling detectives he never intended to kill and that the violent episode was an error.

According to RTE News, Riad Bouchaker was questioned in December 2023 after medical staff cleared him to leave hospital. Officers at Mountjoy Station had detained him over assaults on minors at Parnell Square the month before.

He contests charges of trying to murder three youngsters, attacking four additional victims, and carrying a blade in a threatening way. An interpreter translated questions into Arabic and rendered his replies into English throughout the session.

When cautioned that his words could be used against him, the suspect responded by saying people should remain silent and follow instructions. He later remarked that his concentration sometimes lapsed.

The defendant gestured repeatedly toward his cranium, which bears a mark from prior neurological surgery in 2021. He indicated that he had "lost his head" and mentioned anaesthesia and shoulder procedures.

Asked about the day in question, Bouchaker said he discarded a letter, grabbed an object, and then found himself covered in blood. He recalled holding a blade but said he recognised nobody present. He repeatedly questioned his own actions, asking himself what he had done.

He also traced a sign on his hand that the linguist said signified receiving permission to depart in his cultural context. He urged officers to handle him as they wished and described his recollection as empty.

The session ended so he could recover. A further recording is scheduled for viewing next.

Source: RTÉ News