Creche stab case delay as evidence ‘not ready’
‘Complex file’ includes over 200 statements
GARDAI have taken more than 200 statements in the “complex” case of a man charged with the attempted murder of three children in a knife attack, a court has heard.
A five-year-old girl was left in a serious condition after a stabbing on the afternoon of November 23 at Parnell Square East in the city centre.
Two other children, a boy and another girl, were released from hospital, while creche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh, from Dublin, was also seriously injured during the incident.
Riad Bouchaker, 50, of no fixed abode, was charged on December 21 and held in custody following a brief hearing. He appeared before Cloverhill District Court via video link yesterday.
Judge Alan Mitchell asked why the book of evidence was not ready and a State solicitor replied that it was “a large file, judge, with over 200 statements” and a “large amount of exhibits and medical evidence”. Judge Mitchell said they could be served subsequently but noted it was a “complex
file”.
He heard an adjournment had been agreed with the defence, and the prosecution could not say if the book of evidence would be ready on the next date.
He put the case back for four weeks and remanded the accused in continuing custody and “because of the seriousness and complexity” of the case, he extended time for the book of evidence. It needs to be served on a defendant before granting a trial order.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed a trial on indictment which means the case is to go before the Central Criminal Court due to the nature of the charges.
At the first hearing in December, the accused made “no reply” when charged with “attempted murder of a female child” and to a second charge for the attempted murder of another girl he said: “I am a sick person.”