Little girl (5) stabbed in Parnell Square attack doing well as she enters ‘rehabilitation phase'

In an update on the verified GoFundMe page set up for her, the five-year-old's family said their “little warrior” has been through quite a lot, “but that hasn't stopped her from smiling and being curious”.

“These past weeks have shown us even more so how resilient she is, but also put our own strength into check as we have match her determination,” her family said in a statement.

“We have only begun the rehabilitation phase, and the questions regarding her future and ours are present. Despite all the mights and maybes, we have to believe in her, mainly because she does”.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 4th April 2024

The title of the fundraiser has also been changed to 'Barróg do Chailín Beag' (A Hug for a Little Girl) as “Barróg is the name of the teddy who has been keeping a special school seat warm”.

The page where €88,050 has been raised to help with the girl’s rehab offers a “sincere word of thanks to everyone who has donated”.

“The response to this has been incredible and has surpassed all expectations from when I initially set it up yesterday morning to circulate with family and friends,” a previous message reads.

In an update shared on March 4, the family said that doctors were hoping to reintroduce food "into our darling daughter's day" over the next few weeks after "some serious tummy issues".

In January, the girl's mum wrote on the GoFundMe page how her daughter will have to relearn everything.

She said: “Hi everyone, our darling girl has now entered the third phase of her recovery.

"This will be the longest as she will relearn everything as a result of her injury.

"She has done really well thus far and the medical team is very happy with her improvement.

“Once again, she is so strong and we are proud to be by her side supporting her, guiding her, and, above all, loving her every step of the way.”

The five-year-old was one of three children who, along with their carer, were injured in a multiple stabbing outside Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square in November 2023.

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.

The two other children, aged five and six, and Leanne Flynn, their carer, have all since been released from hospital.