It’s the third day of the trial of an Algerian man charged with the attempted murder of three children in Dublin city centre in November 2023.
Riad Bouchaker, 52, of no fixed address, is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to a care worker, at Parnell Square East in Dublin city on November 23 2023.
He is also charged with assaulting three other people and with producing a 36cm-long kitchen knife. Speaking through an interpreter, he pleaded not guilty to all eight charges.
On Thursday, a jury of nine men and three women were shown a montage of CCTV clips taken on the day of the attack. The footage, according to the prosecution, shows Mr. Bouchaker moving through Dublin city centre before the attack occurred.
Witness tells Defence Counsel she is ‘sure’ of what she saw
Defence Counsel says he is suggesting the witness earlier was unsure where the scar was. Ms Yaya says she remembers the man had a scar on his face. “Where exactly on his face, I don’t remember.”
“I’m pretty sure of what I saw,” witness adds. “Pretty sure?” Defence Counsel asks. “I am sure,” she responds.
“I am sure of what I saw.”‘I am absolutely sure’ witness tells court
She is asked is it possible it wasn’t the man she saw earlier. No the witness says. “Are you sure?” Defence Counsel asks. “I am absolutely sure,” Ms Yaya says.
She is asked is it possible she heard from other people about the man arrested having a distinctive scar on his head. “No I saw it myself.” She is asked where exactly it was. “This was 2 and a half years ago. It was on the side of his face.” She is asked to point on her face.
She has her fingers to the side of her eyebrow, she confirms to Judge Hunt.