Suspect in Dublin knife attack may have 'permanent' serious brain injuries

27 November 2023 , 14:29

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Five people were injured in the incident, including three young children (Image: PA)

The suspect in an alleged attack on a group of children in Dublin last week is believed to have suffered brain injuries, according to sources.

Violence in the Irish capital on Thursday flared after a knife attack on three children and their care assistant outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Dublin's Parnell Square East. It was earlier reported investigators suspect the attacker deliberately targeted the school as it was claimed he loitered around the back gate for around 10 minutes before the incident.

Sources have now revealed the brain injuries the suspect is believed to have sustained in the incident may be permanent, leading to fears police may have a significant wait before he can be questioned.

The source told the Irish Mirror : “He is in a bad way, his head injuries are extensive and may be permanent.” The suspect is said to have watched for about a minute before stabbing a five-year-old girl – and then attacking a school worker who went to save her. He then allegedly turned to attack two more children before he was overpowered by several passers-by.

The five-year-old girl remains critically ill in Dublin's Temple Street Hospital - and the school worker who tried to save the kids was also in a serious condition at another site. A girl aged six and a five-year-old boy were less seriously injured. The girl is believed to still be in hospital, but the boy has been discharged.

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As soon as the suspect is medically fit, sources have said detectives from Store Street would arrest him on suspicion of the attempted murder of five people. Gardai made a fresh appeal for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward.

Gardai believe a male attacker deliberately targeted the school – but don’t 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.”

Michael O'Toole