Advertise on podcast: All Rise: The Riad Bouchaker Trial

It has been over three months since Riad Bouchaker was found guilty of all charges arising from the Parnell Square knife attack, and everyone was back in court today for his sentence hearing.  His defence put forward their pleas in mitigation, and we also heard from some of the victims, and their families.

Yesterday, the jury found Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts.   He’ll be sentenced on a later date but in this episode, Frank and Aisling are joined by two of the other court reporters who have been covering this trial: Deborah Naylor, Courts Correspondent with Virgin Media News, and Eoin Reynolds, Court Reporter at Ireland International News Agency. In this extended episode, they pore over the key evidence, explore how things unfolded in Court 19, and explain the elements of this case that the jury didn't hear.

Four hours and forty-two minutes – that’s how long it took the jury to make their minds up.  And they found Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts.

The jury is out.   After weeks of evidence, the nine men and three women began their deliberations this afternoon. The judge asked them to approach their task “logically and forensically” and to leave emotion or sympathy at the door.

The jury heard closing speeches today – a final chance for both the prosecution and defence to address them. Alternative verdicts will be open to them in relation to certain charges and the issue of intention will be a key element for them to consider in their deliberations.

The prosecution’s final witnesses were called today, including a forensic scientist who examined the knife Riad Bouchaker is alleged to have used. The jurors also heard medical evidence from the doctors who treated Leanne Flynn and the most seriously injured child – a 5 year old girl.

Today, the jury watched Riad Bouchaker’s final garda interview, during which he was confronted with more CCTV footage and some forensic evidence. He was told about the injuries suffered by the children and childcare worker Leanne Flynn, and it was put to him that he was in his full mind when he attacked them.

Today, the jury watched more Garda interviews with Riad Bouchaker. They heard him repeatedly claim he wasn’t in his right mind on the day of the alleged attack.  He said the decision to refuse him social welfare made him mad and go into ‘blackout’. He also repeatedly expressed his relief and gratitude that nobody died.

Today, the jury was shown a video recording of Riad Bouchaker’s first interview with gardai.  Throughout the interview, he repeatedly asks the detectives questioning him if they know that he’s sick. And at one point, he tells them he forgets “everything.”

Day eight revealed more details about the emergency response to the attack and the garda investigation that followed.  The jurors also heard from another eyewitness who described seeing the alleged stabbing of Leanne Flynn. And the jury was shown the suspected weapon – a black handled carving knife.

Today, the jurors heard from firefighters, advanced paramedics and a detective who were among the first emergency responders to arrive at Parnell Square East.  Their evidence spoke to the chaotic scenes that confronted them and the efforts to save the little girl. The jury was also shown some of the items recovered from Riad Bouchaker.

Day six of the trial heard from the first responders who arrived at the scene of the alleged knife attack.  An experienced consultant said he’d never seen anything like it. The first paramedic to treat the most seriously injured child took the stand; as well as a doctor who rushed to the scene when she heard what had happened. There was also more eyewitness testimony, including from the man who grabbed the knife from the accused, Riad Bouchaker.

Day Five of the trial heard from more eyewitnesses who gave accounts of the alleged attack, including a cyclist who hit the accused with a bike lock, and a man who knocked him to the ground with a punch to the face.  A chef described sprinting across the road after seeing a child being stabbed, and a couple visiting Dublin that day described how an otherwise pleasant afternoon turned into anything but.  Seven witnesses were called today, all of whom were cross-examined.

Day four of the trial heard from the care worker, Leanne Flynn, who Riad Bouchaker is accused of causing serious harm to.  They also heard from a man who was passing by as it all began to unfold, and a Deliveroo driver, Caio Benicio, who gave evidence of hitting Riad Bouchaker in the head with his motorbike helmet.

Day three of the Riad Bouchaker trial concluded with the evidence of a woman who described what she saw in the immediate aftermath of the Parnell Square attack.  Before that, the jurors were shown exhibits recovered from the scene, including two bloodstained jackets and a photo of a knife found in the area. There was also some evidence of a man in the area beforehand looking for a school.