Temple Street Hospital in Dublin, where the child was treated. Photo: PA
The family of a girl who was seriously injured in an attack on Dublin’s Parnell Square in November have said they hope she will be home in time for Christmas.
Aged five at the time of the incident, the young girl was one of three children injured outside Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East on November 23. A care worker was injured while trying to protect the children during the incident.
The family issued an update on a GoFundMe page raising funds for the girl’s medical costs The page has raised more than €107,000 at the time of writing after the initial target was set at just €500.
“We would like to thank you all for your generosity. The money has come a long way,” the family said.
“Over the last months we have had to move to a bigger place with a wheelchair accessible layout, furnish the house thinking about space and functionality, get an adapted car which has enabled us to take our darling home at the weekends, plus daily costs.
“Not having a kitchen to cook meals in does add up. We are hoping to be home full-time before Christmas.”
Earlier this month the girl was discharged was released from Temple Street Children’s Hospital, 281 days after the attack. She has since been moved to a rehabilitation facility.
The family said the new facility is “inspiring” and they “can see changes in our little angel on a daily basis”.
In an earlier update posted in August, the girl’s family confirmed she had been able to return home for the first time since the attack and described her as “a warrior”.
The incident on Parnell Square sparked far-right gatherings and rioting in Dublin’s city centre on the night of November 23 and led to rioters clashing with gardaí, looting shops and damaging vehicles including buses and Luas carriages.
Riad Bouchaker (50) of no fixed abode, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, causing serious harm to the care worker, assault of a man at the scene and assault causing harm to three children.
