Karl Finnegan told the Central Criminal Court jury that it was “absurd” to suggest Riad Bouchaker did not intend to kill in the Parnell Square East in Dublin stabbing case. The prosecution had just closed its evidence on Monday, and the jury was told that alternative verdicts are available on the attempted murder charges.
Riad Bouchaker faces eight charges over the November 23 2023 attack in Dublin city centre, including the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, assault causing serious harm to care worker Leanne Flynn, assaulting two young children and a teenager, and producing a 36cm kitchen knife. He has pleaded not guilty to all eight charges.
Central Criminal Court closing argument
Finnegan said the prosecution case made the intent issue “crystal clear” and told the jury to “absolutely reject that defence”. He also argued that Bouchaker’s comment to gardaí that he was thankful no one had died did not answer the legal question before the jury: whether the actions themselves showed an intent to kill at the time.
The court also heard that the jury has been told alternative verdicts can be returned on the attempted murder counts. That gives the jury more than one route to a verdict on those charges, depending on how it assesses intent and the evidence heard during the trial.
Riad Bouchaker's medical evidence
The defence has pointed to Bouchaker’s 2021 brain surgery, when a portion of his skull was removed and left part of his brain vulnerable. The jury heard that Bouchaker suffered a further head injury when members of the public intervened on November 23 2023, and that he required further hospital treatment after that injury.
Bouchaker’s defence says his cognitive functioning, memory, concentration, communication and decision-making are affected as a result. Finnegan, in turn, said Bouchaker’s “thank god” comment showed he understood that death was a likely consequence of what happened.
Tony Hunt and the jury
Mr Justice Tony Hunt told the jury that an accused person has the right to decline to give evidence. That left the panel of nine men and three women to continue with the case on the basis of the prosecution closing and the defence position already placed before the court.
For this trial, the immediate issue is narrower than the wider public debate around the attack: the jury must decide what Bouchaker intended, and then choose between the available verdicts on the attempted murder charges. The case now turns on how the jurors read the evidence already given in the Central Criminal Court.
