The girl (6) who suffered serious injuries in a knife attack outside her school in Dublin city centre in November 2023 has been able to stand for the first time since the stabbing, her parents have said.
In an update on the GoFundMe platform, they described the girl’s progress since she was released from hospital last November as “great” and said Friday was “a major day” as she had “planted two feet on the ground and stood tall”.
The girl, aged five at the time of the attack, was critically injured and spent most of a year at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and in subsequent rehabilitation, before being released.
The family have been sharing updates on a GoFundMe page, under the banner “A hug for a little girl” which was set up following the incident and has raised almost €128,000 to date.
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The multiple stabbings outside Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square left two other young children and a carer injured.
Riad Bouchaker (50) is before the courts 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.
“We have been home since the end of November, and the progress has been great,” the latest update from her parents posted on Saturday afternoon says.
“Yesterday was a major day: our little girl stood up for the first time,” it says.
“Assisted by two physiotherapists, one on each side, she planted her two feet on the ground and stood tall. The physios said she was putting weight on her legs, which is a good sign.”
Her parents said the girl has “also made strides in her arm and hand movements, neck control, and back strengthening”.
They said that being around her every day “has been rewarding. It is full-on dedication, even with help, but this is what needs to happen right now. Let us keep powering through”.
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