27 November 2023 , 08:53
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The suspect for last week's Dublin knife attack may have suffered serious brain injuries in the alleged incident, sources have said.
Detectives investigating Thursday's attack on kids and a worker at Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East in the Irish capital fear the man's injuries may be permanent. Because of this, officers are reportedly worried that he may not be fit to be questioned about the horror attack for a while.
The suspect, an Algerian-born male who is a naturalised Irish citizen, is still in an induced coma in hospital. The man, in his 50s, suffered serious head injuries allegedly connected to the incident.
Flowers and tributes left at the scene in Parnell Square, Dublin (FOTO TEMPLATES)Gardai from the city's Mounty Station are still waiting to question him – but will not be allowed to until he is medically fit - and sources have warned, it could be some time. A source told the Irish Mirror: "He is in a bad way. His head injuries are extensive and may be permanent."
The five-year-old girl who was stabbed several times in Thursday's attack is still critically ill in Dublin's Temple Street Hospital. The two other kids, a girl aged six and a boy aged five, were less seriously injured and have both been discharged from hospital.
Mourners gather at purple-themed vigil to remember girl, 15, stabbed to death
The female worker who was stabbed when she bravely put herself between the knifeman and the kids was also seriously injured and was still in hospital last night, but there are hopes she will make a full recovery. Gardai are still trying to establish a motive for the horror attack, but are satisfied there was no terror link.
They have examined the suspect's laptop and phone and found nothing to suggest a Jihadi link. On Saturday, it was revealed that the man suffered a brain tumour around two years ago and a family member told gardai that he suffered a sharp decline in his mental health after that.
It was also reported that he was in court in Dublin in May charged with possessing a knife and damaging a car – but had no conviction recorded against him. Sources said he was charged with one count of possessing a knife and another of criminal damage to a car following an incident in central Dublin in April.
Gardai believe a male attacker deliberately targeted the school on Thursday – but do not know why yet. Sources stressed, however, that he had no connection with the school or any of the pupils or staff. Gardai made a fresh appeal for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward.
A spokesman said: “An Garda Síochána is appealing to any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí. Investigating Gardaí are also appealing to any person who may have mobile phone footage of the attack or the immediate aftermath to make this footage available to An Garda Síochána. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station 01 666 8600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”