The jury in the trial of Riad Bouchaker has heard from a medical doctor about the injuries suffered by one of his alleged victims. 

The 52-year-old faces eight charges in relation to an alleged knife attack on Parnell Square in November 2023. He denies all charges. 

Yesterday, the trial moved on from Garda interviews and clinicians gave medical evidence. 

One such witness was Dr Aoife Mahony, a consultant paediatrician, who spoke about the impact of the alleged attack on one young girl. 

Dr Mahony told the court that the child had suffered a penetrating chest injury, which meant her brain did not get the oxygen that it needed. As a result, she has an acquired brain injury. 

The paediatrician added that her role was to assess the extent of the girl’s brain damage and said she suffers from severe dystonia. This is a neurological disorder which means the communication between the brain and the muscles do not work correctly. 

It can sometimes result in involuntary contractions and painful spasms. 

“She told the jury that whenever the girl tries to perform even the simplest of activities her dystonia frequently intensifies, preventing her from interacting with objects in the way she intends,” Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney recounted on All Rise: The Riad Bouchaker Trial.

“She said her head control has improved over time and she can sit briefly but she said she still needs a wheelchair.

“She also needs a hoist for transfers; she can't stand on her own, she can't bear weight or walk and is fully dependent on carers for all aspects of daily living.” 

Dr Mahony continued that the young girl cannot communicate verbally but that she is able to blink for yes or no questions. 

“She said that she can react to and understand certain limited things like when something fun is pointed out to her in the room,” Mr Greaney recalled. 

“She said her eyes light up and she smiles, but she said if you were to ask her a more complex question she could find that difficult to follow.” 

Future

Dr Mahony continued that the young girl is fed through a PEG tube, which delivers nutrition directly to her stomach. 

She finds it hard to coordinate movements with her mouth and swallowing is a potentially dangerous task. 

“Dr Mahony went on to say that she's currently on nine different medications including ones for pain relief and sleep,” Mr Greaney said. 

“She now attends a specialised school for children with additional needs and in terms of the long-term outlook Dr Mahony said that she will require all her current supports for the rest of her life.

“She said she will never live independently and while she may continue to make small gains over time, she said that as she grows older new challenges may emerge, including scoliosis.” 

The trial continues.

Main image: Parnell Square. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie.