Update | 

Girl (5) critically injured in Parnell Square stabbing back in ICU after ‘setback’

The young girl had been in Temple Street Hospital where she has been treated for critical injuries since the incident on 23 November.

Neasa Cumiskey

Today at 18:11

The five-year-old girl who was seriously injured in the Parnell Square stabbing has returned to ICU after a health “setback”.

The young girl had been in Temple Street Hospital where she has been treated for critical injuries since the incident on 23 November in Dublin’s city centre but was discharged from ICU earlier this month.

She has now been readmitted to ICU in Temple Street Hospital just four weeks after her family announced that she was beginning the next phase of her recovery.

An update on her health was posted through a GoFundMe page set up to help the family, called ‘Barróg do Chailín Beag’ (A Hug for a Little Girl).

The little girl’s parents have used the online fundraising site GoFundMe – which has raised more than €71,000 so far – to keep well-wishers informed of her progress.

In a message today, her family said that they are hopeful that their daughter will “get back on the ward” in the near future.

“Hello again. Just a quick update. We had a bit of a setback and are currently in the ICU once more.

“Bumps in the road, particularly this long one, are to be expected. Nevertheless we are still positive and hoping to get back on the ward. Fingers crossed.”

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Following the attack on Parnell Street in November, the girl was rushed to Temple Street where she received emergency medical treatment for critical injuries.

However, she has recently rallied and made progress under the care of hospital staff and medics.

Riad Bouchaker (50) is currently before the courts in connection with the incident on November 23.

He is 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.