Dublin City Council to hold event to honour Leanne Flynn's bravery in Parnell Square attack

Dublin City Council will honour crèche worker Leanne Flynn for the “bravery and courage” she showed during the 2023 Parnell Square attack.

Ms Flynn was stabbed while she intervened in the assault, protecting multiple school children from the attacker Riad Bouchaker.

Bouchaker was convicted last week of the attempted murder of three children and intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Flynn.

The motion to honour her was passed by Dublin City Council on Monday evening, with the crèche worker set to be honoured by Lord Mayor Daryl Baron at an event scheduled for the autumn.

Monday’s vote was tabled by Sinn Féin, and the decision for it to be passed was welcomed by the party's group leader in Dublin City Council, Daithí Doolan.

“I am delighted to confirm that Dublin City Council has agreed to honour Leanne Flynn for the bravery and courage she showed during the horrific attacks on school children in Parnell Square on November 23rd 2023,” he said.

“There will be an event in autumn hosted by the Lord Mayor to express the city’s gratitude to Leanne.

“The safety of the school children was foremost in Leanne’s mind. Protecting those children was her priority. She bravely and unselfishly put the welfare of others ahead of her own health and safety. Leanne put herself in danger to protect vulnerable children.

During the attack, Flynn suffered one major, catastrophic stab wound to her lower back and spent a month in hospital, recovering from the injury.

“The bravery shown by Leanne was a ray of hope in those dark days that followed the attack." Doolan continued. “The cross-party support is a clear indication of the very high regard that Leanne is held in by everyone across the city and beyond.”

A reception will also be held in the autumn to acknowledge all the bystanders who intervened on the day of the attack.