A former member of An Garda Síochána has told a court he encountered a chaotic and heavily populated emergency scene after responding to reports of a suspected knife attack in Dublin city centre.
The testimony was given at the Central Criminal Court, where jurors are hearing evidence in the case against 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, who denies multiple charges relating to an incident in Parnell Square East on November 23rd, 2023.
Serious Charges Relating to Multiple Injuries
Bouchaker, who is of no fixed address, is accused of attempting to murder two girls and a boy, as well as causing serious harm to an adult.
He is also charged with assaulting three additional individuals and producing a 36cm kitchen knife during the incident.
He has pleaded not guilty to all eight charges, and the trial continues to examine accounts from witnesses who were present at the scene.
Former Officer Describes “Unprecedented” Emergency Response
Former garda Adam Kealy, now living in Australia, appeared via videolink and told the jury he arrived quickly after receiving an urgent call through Command and Control.
He described seeing multiple ambulance crews and emergency personnel already treating victims when he arrived.
According to Kealy, the scale of the scene stood out immediately.
He told the court he had “never seen as many at a scene” during his time in policing, adding that the severity of the situation was instantly clear.
Firefighter Seen Restraining Man at Scene
Kealy also gave evidence that he observed a Dublin Fire Brigade member kneeling over a man and appearing to restrain him by holding his arm and wrist.
Believing there could be a continuing threat, he said he separated from a colleague who had been directed by a member of the public toward a possible suspect location.
He told the court he was unsure whether the individual on the ground had access to any weapons, prompting him to conduct a search, during which he handcuffed and frisked the man.
Identification and Hospital Transfer Details
The former officer said he recovered a wallet containing a Public Services Card bearing the name Riad Bouchaker, as well as a mobile phone found nearby at the scene.
He told jurors the man appeared conscious but did not engage in conversation.
Kealy later accompanied the accused to hospital, where he was informed the individual had been sedated.
He also described receiving updates regarding urine testing procedures and later learning that toxicology results returned negative.
Following those findings, he said he removed the handcuffs.
Eyewitnesses Describe Sudden and Violent Chaos
Two sisters visiting from Australia also gave evidence, telling the court they were walking near Parnell Square East when they heard screaming and initially believed they were witnessing an argument.
Alison Carbery told the jury she quickly realized the situation was far more serious, stating she believed she saw a man stabbing a child from across the street.
Her sister Catherine supported her account, saying she believed children were being harmed during the incident.
Both women gave their testimony via videolink from Australia.
Nearby Witness Reports Close-Up View of Attack
Another witness, Carlos Antonio Lopes Dos Santos, told the court he was only a few steps away when the incident unfolded.
Using a Portuguese interpreter, he described hearing screams and seeing a man holding a knife near children.
He told jurors the knife movements appeared rapid and forceful, particularly toward a child he identified as a girl.
Under cross-examination, he maintained that he believed multiple children were harmed, although he acknowledged varying details in what he personally observed.
Trial Continues in Central Criminal Court
The proceedings remain ongoing as the court continues to hear from witnesses and examine differing accounts of the events that unfolded in Dublin city centre in November 2023.
