The parents of a young girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing on Parnell Square in Dublin have said she “has endured so much, yet she still manages to bolster a smile, even when crying” ahead of the first anniversary of the attack.
The girl, aged five at the time of the November 23rd attack, was critically injured and spent 281 days in Temple Street Children’s Hospital before being released at the end of August.
The family have been sharing updates on a GoFundMe page, set up following the incident and which has raised over €115,000.
In a post her parents pointed out that this Saturday marks one year since the incident and that their daughter has made “great progress”.
Her mother said the family does not “wish to remember the tragedy”.
She continued: “We choose rebirth, triumph, resilience. Don't get me wrong, I experience at least a dozen different emotions throughout the day as I think of her, pass by some spot in town which held significance to us, sing 'All my Loving' to get a smile out of her. It is tough.
“So much has happened, and our little girl has endured so much, yet she still manages to bolster a smile, even when crying.”
The girl’s mother explained that both she and her husband are having to “relearn” how to be parents and how their daughter has to “relearn being a child with extreme limitations”.
Her mother added: “It is different parenting altogether. And she has had to relearn being a child, with extreme limitations.
“She cannot move or communicate as she used to, so she has to understand the meaning of patience. It takes a lot out of her to lift her arms, but she is a warrior and she does it.”
Her parents said they “strongly believe” that, despite medical assessments and reports, she “understands everything we say to her”.
They continued: “She, like most six-year-olds, chooses what she wishes to acknowledge. We are on the home stretch for home. We get to make our schedule and allow your pace to dictate activities.
“2025 will be a brand new experience, another one we will also have to adapt to."
Her mother continued: “She has made great progress, and we don't wish her to stop. Only time will truly tell. Some people with acquired brain injuries have still shown change and improvement up to 10 years later. We've got time.
“It is a lot to take in, for all of those involved, the children, the parents, the school staff. I would like to thank everyone for the love and support over these 12 months. Hug your loved ones extra tight”.
The multiple stabbings outside Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square left two other young children and a carer injured.
Riad Bouchaker (50) is currently before the courts charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of producing and possessing a kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm and one of assault causing serious harm.
