Tributes paid to creche worker stabbed while shielding small children from knife attack

Leanne Flynn from Dublin’s north inner city was hospitalised following the incident outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square off O’Connell Street on Thursday.

The creche worker, who is in her 30s, suffered serious injuries during the knife attack and was rushed to hospital for urgent treatment.

In a statement on Saturday gardaí said Ms Flynn, who was critically ill in intensive care in the Mater hospital for two days, is now described as being in a “serious but stable” condition.

Under the title "Support Hero Carer & Children Attacked In Dublin" the GoFundme says the monies raised "will not be going to the school to cover any current running costs, bills, fees etc.".

"This fundraiser will only be used to assist the individuals and children that have been impacted by this event return to normal as quickly as possible," it says. 

On Leanne Flynn, it says she is a "superhero" adding: "Unfortunately due to her significant injuries she will now be out of work for the foreseeable future and we would love to be able to support her in her time of need like she did for the children so bravely."

Posting on their Facebook Page, Cabra Boxing Club in north Dublin wrote: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our club coach Anto and our boxer Josh Geraghty whose partner was involved and saved numerous kids’ lives in (Thursday’s) terror attacks in Dublin. We wish her a speedy recovery."

The club also posted an image of Ms Flynn which has been shared across Facebook.

Meanwhile, hundreds of well-wishers have also taken to social media to hail Ms Flynn a “hero” for her quick-thinking actions during the shocking incident.

She helped push the attacker out of the way and received injuries while doing so.

A 5-year-old child caught up in the assault, however, remains in a critical condition in CHI Temple Street after being stabbed randomly by the man in his 40s.

A second child who was also injured outside the junior school has been discharged from hospital.

The 6-year-old girl has since been returned to the care of her family.

The man, in his 40s, remains in a serious but stable condition in a hospital in the Dublin region. He is being monitored by gardaí and is expected to be questioned when well enough.

It has emerged he is of Algerian descent but has lived here for a number of years. He had been living in homeless accommodation in Dublin. Sources have said he suffers from mental health issues.

He was caught with a knife earlier this year but while he appeared in court, no orders were made in relation to him.

The attack on the three children and a creche worker unfolded at lunchtime on Thursday when the suspect was first seen acting unusually outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire off O’Connell Street.

He then began to attack a woman and three children by stabbing them.

Several passersby intervened and restrained the man before calling the emergency services. One Deliveroo cyclist described how he knocked the suspect to the ground using his helmet.