The family of a young girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing on Parnell Square in Dublin 13 months ago have revealed that there is “no where they would rather be than at home” following their daughter’s battle to stay alive.
The girl, aged five at the time of the November 23rd, 2023, was critically injured and spent most of a year at Temple Street Children’s Hospital before being released five weeks ago.
The family have been sharing updates on a GoFundMe page, set up following the incident and which has raised over €125,000.
In their most recent update on New Year’s Eve her parents said they hoped that 2025 would “grant us all with patience, tolerance, perseverance, accomplishments, and victories.”
They said: "This time last year, we were in Temple Street, wishing nothing more than the chance to bring our darling home. I put some glow sticks next to her in bed, slept on the chair beside her, and had a sip of alcohol-free Prosecco.
“Fast forward a year, and we can safely say that there is nowhere we would rather be: home, in our pj's, having a low-key New Year celebration. On this eve, we wish health, love, hope, forgiveness, strength, and resilience.”
On Christmas Day, the six-year-old’s parents said they received the “ biggest surprise” as the “beautiful sun shining, allowing us to go for a walk and enjoy the new playground with adapted swings.”
The young girl’s mother also highlighted how important the help of her own mother whom she described as a “Ninja Nana” had been to them since the horrific attack.
She recounted that a “very important person, who was supportive from the second she was informed of what had happened, and who put her life on hold to come across the Atlantic and help us out through the toughest moment of our lives, has gone back to her house.”
She said that her mother was “key” in their little girl's early stages of recovery.
“She saw the bits that only myself and my husband had to. She was, apart from a loving grandma, a nurse, teacher, entertainer, and advocate to our angel warrior.
"While she was here, I could go into work for a few hours a day, run to the shop, take a decent shower, and more. Our darling usually needs two people with her at all times, so she stepped in big time,” the mother continued.
“It wasn't always easy, but for our angel to have her grandma here, it was precious. And for my husband and me, priceless.
“A grandparent should not have to see their grandchild suffer and struggle so much, but my mum was so strong through it all.
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.
