Family of young girl stabbed in Parnell Square attack share ‘bittersweet’ update on her sixth birthday

The Parnell Square victim marks her 6th birthday this month

They have been posting updates since the November 2023 attack with her parents recently confirming she had been discharged from the hospital.

However, ahead of her sixth birthday, her parents said she's struggling but she is getting stronger.

Her family shared: "This week holds a bittersweet feeling. Our sweet girl turns 6. She had just turned 5 when all this started. 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 5: she wanted to master riding a bike in order to get roller skates by the time she turned 6. We had to put that plan on hold," she said.

Her family explained that they purchased a face paint kit and painted a butterfly on her face.

"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," they shared.

Her family said their "angel" was "still a caterpillar in November of 2023", but now she's becoming stronger.

"Now she is in her chrysalis, getting stronger, changing, adapting, and will come out a butterfly in the end," they wrote.

Her family admitted it's hard not to think of what could've been if the attack never happened but it "is important not to dwell in the unknown".

They added: "We try to focus on the now and enjoy all the special moments we have."

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