Courageous 'angel warrior' injured in Parnell Square to celebrate birthday this week
The little girl is still 'non-verbal' as she celebrates her sixth birthday
The courageous little girl who suffered serious injuries in a horrific knife attack on Parnell Square in Dublin last year will celebrate her sixth birthday this week.
The five-year angel warrior was left in critical condition after last year’s horrific incident on November 23, which also left two other children and care assistant Leanne Flynn Keogh injured.
The 'angel warrior' was discharged from Temple Street Children's Hospital prior to Christmas, before beginning rehab. Although she has been getting better and better over the last year, she is still non-verbal.
READ MORE: 'Little warrior' injured in attack in Dublin's Parnell Square leaves hospital after 281 days
READ MORE: Young girl seriously injured in Parnell Square attack visits home in 'emotional' step
A fundraiser was launched for the young girl, called Barróg do Chailín Beag or a Hug For A Little Girl, with her family sharing updates on her health as people continue to donate to the fundraiser.
In the most recent update, the family of the young ‘angel warrior’ shared that this week is “bittersweet” as their sweet girl will be turning six.
Although she celebrated her fifth birthday, many of their beloved girl's plans while she was five, had to be put on hold following the horrific incident, like getting rollerblades or mastering cycling.
Ahead of her sixth birthday, the little girl had her face painted like a butterfly, something that reminded her family members of a book they bought in Temple Street, about a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
They said that their ‘little angel’ was a caterpillar but is now “getting stronger, changing, adapting”, and is soon to be a butterfly.
“This week holds a bittersweet feeling. Our sweet girl turns six. She had just turned five when all this started,” an update on the GoFundMe page read.
“She had been in Junior infants for a couple of months. She had met her cousins in my hometown for the first time.
“She had plans for her five: she wanted to master riding a bike in order to get roller skates by the time she turned six. We had to put that plan on hold.
“This weekend I got our face paint kit out and asked her what she wanted to be. To be honest, I am not good at it, but it was simply a moment of fun. After much deliberation, her eyes lingered on the butterfly one. She is still non-verbal.
“While I painted her face in tones of pink and orange, I kept thinking of the book I bought while she was still in Temple Street. It was about the phases the caterpillar goes through before becoming a butterfly.
“Perhaps our angel was still a caterpillar in November of 2023. Now she is in her chrysalis, getting stronger, changing, adapting, and will come out a butterfly in the end.
“It isn't easy thinking of what could've been, but it's important not to dwell in the unknown. We try to focus on the now and enjoy all the special moments we have.”
The GoFundMe has far surpassed the initial €500 target, raising a staggering €112,325. To donate, head here.
Riad Bouchaker, 50, of no fixed abode, has been charged with attempted murder of the three children, and with assault causing serious harm to the woman.
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