Jury shown Garda video interview with Riad Bouchaker

A jury has been shown a video interview held by gardaí with Riad Bouchaker after a stabbing attack in Dublin City in 2023.

The Central Criminal Court in Dublin has heard multiple children and an adult were injured in the incident, including a girl who is now in a wheelchair and non-verbal.

Bouchaker, aged 52 and of no fixed address, is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to an adult, at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23 2023.

Bouchaker is also charged with assaulting three other people, and with producing a 36cm kitchen knife.

He has pleaded not guilty to all eight charges.

The jury has heard evidence from witnesses, doctors and members of the emergency services and the trial is expected to last up to five weeks.

On the ninth day of the trial, the jury heard from Sergeant Ben Geoghegan about Bouchaker’s detention at Mountjoy Garda Station on December 20 2023.

Mr Geoghegan said he approved the initial six-hour period of detention, and two further extension periods were granted and the timings were explained to Bouchaker.

The court heard that gardaí then began an interview with Bouchaker at the Garda station at 11.11am on December 20 2023.

Bouchaker had the assistance of a French Arabic interpreter during the interview, which lasted just under an hour.

Gardaí are heard cautioning Bouchaker that the interview was being recorded, monitored and may be used as evidence.

Speaking through an interpreter, Bouchaker replied: “Do not say anything, do not hear anything, do what they tell you to do.”

The garda is heard explaining further that Bouchaker does not have to reply to gardaí’s questions, but if he does, gardaí will “write down your answers and those answers may be used in court”.

Speaking through an interpreter, Bouchaker said: “As long as they know my situation, sometimes I lose concentration.

“Whatever you guys want to do, do it.”

The trial continues on Monday afternoon.