In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Boy B, then 13, to 15 years' detention for luring 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel to an abandoned farmhouse where she was sexually and violently assaulted and murdered by his friend. The judge noted Boy B watched the assault, did not intervene or seek help, and was aware of the events, yet remained indifferent. He had fabricated lies about the incident, which the judge described as "clear and brazen." Boy B has not accepted the jury's verdict and maintains he had no part in the crime. Defence counsel highlighted his low risk of re‑offending, personal difficulties, and suicidal tendencies, while also noting his remorse for not intervening. The sentence includes a review after eight years. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcome reported. The unnamed boy was convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 5 November 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced a 15‑year‑old boy, referred to only as Boy A, to life imprisonment for the violent sexual assault and murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The sentence will be reviewed after 12 years. The judge described the crime as the most serious, disturbing and shocking type, citing the extreme violence used, including a headlock, choke hold, kicking, striking with a stick and a block. Boy A had previously denied the sexual assault and offered an alternative explanation for forensic evidence. The prosecution presented CCTV footage, DNA evidence linking Boy A to Ana's body and scene, and circumstantial evidence of injuries he claimed were from a random assault. Ana was found dead in an abandoned house in Lucan on 14 May 2018, with blunt‑force injuries to the head and neck. The unnamed accused was convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the mother of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel described her daughter as an "ephemeral angel" and said her family was devastated by her murder. The court heard that the defendant known as Boy A admitted he caused Ana's death but denied sexually assaulting her, while Boy B rejected the unanimous jury verdict that found him guilty of murder. Boy A was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The court noted that Boy A's semen was found on Ana's top and that forensic evidence showed she had been sexually assaulted, her clothes torn, and her blood on the walls of the derelict building where she was found. Both boys were 13 at the time of the crime and are now 15, having been convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year. The judge will sentence them on November 5.
During a sentence hearing, Boy A, now 15, admitted choking Ana Kriegel, striking her with a stick and a concrete block, but denied sexually assaulting her. Detective Inspector Mark O'Neill informed Brendan Grehan SC that psychiatric and psychological reports led Boy A to accept responsibility for Ana's death. He described actions such as a headlock, choke hold, kicking, and hitting her with a stick and a block, which he either threw or struck off her head on three occasions. Boy A maintains he did not sexually assault Ana and offered an alternative explanation for forensic evidence. Inspector O'Neill noted that semen was found on Ana's top and that the boys had planned the murder. The hearing continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The two 13‑year‑old boys were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year for Ana's murder and, for Boy A, her aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
In a sentencing hearing for two 15‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel, Mr Justice Paul McDermott limited the number of journalists to five. He said the restriction was to protect the boys' rights, physical and mental well‑being, and dignity, citing the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the need to reduce the "considerable toll" the case has taken on the children and their families. The court will be televised in a separate room where any number of journalists may watch, but the judge rejected an application by RTE and newspapers to increase the number of reporters in the courtroom. The boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, were 13 when the murder occurred in May 2018 and were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year. The judge also ordered the media to pay the costs of the boys' legal teams for the hearing.
The Central Criminal Court will hold a sentence hearing for the two 15‑year‑old boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel in an abandoned house on Clonee Road, Lucan, on 14 May 2018. The hearing, scheduled for next Tuesday, will include a summary of evidence presented by a Garda detective inspector and a statement from Ana's parents. Mr Justice Paul McDermott received psychological and psychiatric reports on the boys. Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, truck driver Oleksandr Hrudovyy, aged 47, was found not guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 80‑year‑old William Carrick on 22 May 2015. The jury, after about an hour and a half of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Hrudovyy, a professional driver from Clonee, claimed he was not driving dangerously; he had no alcohol or drugs, was not tired, and had not been speeding. He argued that Carrick, who had left a pub and was attempting to cross a pedestrian crossing partially blocked by the truck's rear, may have been in a blind spot. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck before Hrudovyy moved forward, but the footage did not capture the driver's view. Hrudovyy stopped the truck immediately, was shocked, and cooperated with Gardaí. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive and did not check mirrors.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Oleksandr Hrudovyy, a 47‑year‑old professional truck driver, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of William Carrick, an 80‑year‑old pedestrian. The incident occurred on 22 May 2015 when Hrudovyy stopped his 16.9‑metre truck in heavy traffic at a green light on Swords Road, Cloghran, and then moved forward, crushing Carrick who had just left a pub and was crossing the road. Carrick died from multiple fractures and blood loss. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive, failed to check mirrors, and did not perform required checks before moving the vehicle. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck, while Hrudovyy claimed he did not see him. Defence argued the evidence did not meet the Supreme Court's definition of dangerous driving and that the stop was merely inconsiderate. The jury was instructed to remain impartial and consider the facts presented.
Rafal Winter, a 37‑year‑old former shop assistant manager from Clonee, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing more than €10,000 worth of lottery scratch cards from a Spar store in Mulhuddart between 2 July and 24 September 2017. He admitted taking up to 30 books of cards over several weeks, claiming jealousy after friends discussed pay rises. Winter voluntarily presented himself to the Gardaí, explained that he scratched the cards himself, and offered to resign and repay the €10,500 he had stolen. He has since worked as a security guard and has not attracted further Garda attention. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended entirely, subject to a number of conditions. The judge noted his efforts to repay the money and his lack of prior convictions in Ireland or Poland. The case was prosecuted by Diarmuid Collins BL and defended by Jennifer Jackson BL.
Selem Abbas, aged 22, was one of three men who threatened a teenager with scissors and a hurling stick, forced the victim into a car, and demanded he withdraw €100 from an ATM. The incident, which involved false imprisonment, was reported to the Gardaí. Abbas pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, robbery, production of scissors and a hurling stick, and false imprisonment. He had 22 prior convictions. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Abbas to six years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the robbery, the use of weapons, and the false imprisonment of the teenager. Abbas was described as a frequent drug user at the time of the offence, but the court noted he was clean of drugs and had good family support. The teenager did not submit a victim impact statement. The case was prosecuted by Derek Cooney BL and defended by Brian Storan BL.
In a hearing on 26 July 2019, Mr Justice Michael White extended an injunction that requires Facebook and Twitter to remove any photographs or other material that could identify the two fourteen‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel. The order, originally imposed on 20 June, will remain in force until after the boys' sentencing on 22 November. Brendan Grehan SC, speaking for the Director of Public Prosecutions, noted that the sentence hearing had been postponed to 29 October and requested that the injunction continue until the new date. Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook Ireland and Andrew Fitzpatrick SC for Twitter confirmed their cooperation and consented to the order's continuation. The injunction was issued after social media posts had circulated identifying the boys, who are known only as Boy A and Boy B, and the court emphasized the need to monitor the situation due to its sensitivity.
Jason O'Connor, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a man at The Paddocks pub in Clonee on 3 November 2018, and for making threats to kill or seriously harm Detective Sergeant Shane McCartan and Detective Inspector Joseph McLoughlin during a search of his home on 5 November 2018. The threats were recorded by a documentary film crew and played in court. O'Connor pleaded guilty to both the assault and the threats. He has 64 previous convictions, mainly traffic offences, but also knives, burglary and a mobile phone in prison. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a concurrent one‑year sentence for the threats, back‑dated to reflect time already spent in custody. The court noted that O'Connor had been in his boxer shorts when the Emergency Response Unit breached his door, and that he had a history of mental health issues and substance misuse.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott granted the legal teams of two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel access to parts of each other's probation reports that relate to the murder and sexual assault. The request was made by Gerardine Small BL for the Director of Public Prosecutions, and both defendants' counsel, Patrick Gageby SC and Damien Colgan SC, objected neither to the disclosure nor to a garda inspector's access. The judge emphasised that the documents must be handled with the strictest confidence and warned that any breach would be contempt of court. He also limited media presence to no more than five reporters at the boys' sentencing in October, citing the need for an appropriate environment. The boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts last month for Ana's murder and aggravated sexual assault.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 July 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing for two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel and of assaulting her in a violent manner. The boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, were found guilty on 18 June of the murder and the aggravated sexual assault. The judge explained that he would not proceed with a sentence hearing until psychiatric reports are completed. Two teams of psychiatrists, one adult forensic and one child psychiatrist, will prepare reports for each boy, with a possible psychologist involved. The reports are expected to take time and are unlikely to be ready before the end of term. Sentencing has been postponed to 29 October, with all reports required to be available to the legal teams by 21 October.
In July 2019, the Irish Daily Mail editor Sebastian Hamilton was fined €4,500 after a court found him guilty of contempt for a front‑page headline that posed a real risk to the trial of two boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. The headline, "CCTV shows Ana being led to her death," was deemed inaccurate and potentially prejudicial. The court noted that Hamilton's consultation system with court reporter Helen Bruce was inadequate and that there was no effective editorial control over the story's presentation. The publisher, Associated News (Ireland) Ltd, was fined €25,000. Hamilton was ordered to pay the fine within six weeks or face three months' imprisonment, and the company was also ordered to pay the DPP's costs. The case highlighted the importance of accurate reporting during ongoing trials.
During a brief court appearance, Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), expressed concern that the identification of the two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel could "flare up" again at the upcoming sentencing hearing later this month. The boys, known only as Boy A and Boy B in the media, were convicted in June of the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year, and Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The DPP noted that it remains "real concerned" despite a recent period of stability following the removal of identifying images from Facebook and Twitter. On 20 June, Mr Justice Michael White imposed an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any photos or other material identifying the boys.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 1 July 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott considered whether mental health professionals could interview the parents of the two boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, were found guilty of the murder and, in Boy A's case, of aggravated sexual assault. Mr Justice McDermott had ordered probation and psychiatric reports from child forensic psychiatrists. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, presented Professor Harry Kennedy's suggestions, which included joint assessments by consultant child and forensic psychiatrists, assessments by clinical psychologists, and interviews with the boys' parents to access prior reports. Patrick Gageby SC, for Boy A, noted uncertainty about the availability of a specialist child forensic psychiatrist in Ireland, while Damien Colgan SC, for Boy B, expressed no objection to the proposals.
In a Central Criminal Court ruling, Mr Justice Paul McDermott fined journalist Niall O'Connor €2,500 after he inadvertently named one of the boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder during a live Red FM interview. The station was fined €10,000. O'Connor, who was a guest on the Neil Prendeville show the morning after the convictions, apologized unreservedly, stating the slip was a mistake and not intentional. The DPP's Brendan Grehan noted that the boys, aged 14, could not be identified, and the court had taken care to refer to them as Boy A and Boy B. The judge imposed the fine or a three‑month prison term if unpaid, and the broadcaster was ordered to pay within three months. The case highlighted the court's protection of minors and the broadcaster's subsequent implementation of a seven‑second delay to prevent future incidents.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a contempt of court motion was authorised after journalist Niall O'Connor allegedly named one of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder on a Cork radio show. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed Mr Justice Michael White that the matter arose from an interview on the Neil Prendeville show on Red FM on the morning of June 19, the day after the jury's verdicts. The boys, aged 14, were found guilty of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel at an abandoned farmhouse in Lucan on 14 May last year, and one was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault. The identities of the boys are protected under the Children Act and a court order by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Mr Grehan presented a redacted transcript showing the journalist naming one boy twice before being cut off.
In a contempt of court hearing on 20 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White addressed the wrongful online identification of an innocent boy as one of the convicted murderers of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The judge urged Gardaí to pursue those who shared the identities of the two boys, Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of the murder and an aggravated sexual assault. Under the Children Act, it is an offence to identify minors, and the court upheld an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any material that identified the boys. Lawyers for the boys expressed concerns about threats and the safety of their families. The judge emphasised the importance of respecting the law and the integrity of the trial process, noting that the Central Criminal Court is not the forum for broader social media responsibility.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White warned that publishing the identities of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder is an offence. The judge issued a contempt of court order against any person who attempts to identify the 14‑year‑old boys, stating they will be treated in the most serious fashion. He also ordered Facebook and Twitter to appear in court the following day and to remove any material that identifies the boys. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, requested the removal of photographs and other identifying content from the platforms. The boys, referred to only as Boy A and Boy B, were convicted of murder and, in Boy A's case, aggravated sexual assault, after an eight‑week trial with unanimous jury verdicts. The court emphasised that the Children Act prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel has spent 11 hours and 24 minutes deliberating and will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to continue. Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed the eight men and four women to return at 10 am and reminded them not to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury. The accused, who cannot be named because they are minors, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year. Boy A is also charged with Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence and has pleaded not guilty to that charge as well. Mr Justice McDermott explained that the jury must consider each count separately, with possible verdicts of guilty or not guilty for each murder charge and for the aggravated sexual assault charge.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel has paused its deliberations for the week and will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday. After spending seven hours and fifteen minutes over three days, Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the eight men and four women that they could go home for the weekend, warning them not to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury or to follow media reports. The foreman of the jury sent a note to the judge requesting seven discs containing videos of Boy B's interviews with Gardaí in May and July 2018, and asked for a larger screen for viewing the DVDs on Monday. Mr Justice McDermott agreed to provide a larger screen. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a trial for the murder of Ana Kriegel, Judge Paul McDermott instructed the jury that the prosecution's case hinges on the injuries inflicted on Ana, which they argue demonstrate the accused's intention to kill or cause serious injury. The jury, after more than four hours of deliberation, has been shown various exhibits, including a blood‑stained stick, gloves with Ana's blood, Tescon insulation tape found around her neck, and CCTV footage. Mr Justice McDermott explained that intent can be inferred from preparation, citing Boy A's bringing a mask and other items to the scene. He emphasized that the prosecution believes intent is established through pathology and forensic evidence, and that the natural consequence of such injuries is serious injury or death. The accused, both 14, have pleaded not guilty to murder and to an aggravated sexual assault charge. The jury will return tomorrow to continue deliberations.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel began deliberations at the Central Criminal Court on 12 June 2019. Eight men and four women were sent out at 12.35pm, returned thirty minutes later, and were instructed by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to suspend deliberations for the day and resume at 10am the next day. The judge explained that each of the three murder counts against Boy A and Boy B must be decided unanimously, with only two possible verdicts per count: guilty or not guilty. For Boy A's aggravated sexual assault charge, the jury could return a guilty or not guilty verdict. Mr Justice McDermott emphasized that each count must be considered separately, that reasonable doubt requires acquittal, and that the jury should focus on the evidence relating to the events of 14 May, the day of the murder.
In a 2019 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott warned a jury that people may lie for reasons such as shame or to hide disgraceful behaviour. He explained that the jury could rely on alleged lies only if the prosecution proved there was no innocent explanation. The case involved two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy A was also charged with aggravated sexual assault; Boy B was charged with aiding and abetting the murder. The judge instructed the jury to consider each boy's case separately, to assess intent to kill or cause serious injury, and to evaluate circumstantial and forensic evidence. He emphasised that presence at a crime scene does not equal participation, and that the jury must acquit if any reasonable doubt about intent or knowledge remains. The judge concluded his charge the following morning. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a murder and aggravated sexual assault trial, the defence counsel for a 14‑year‑old accused of killing and assaulting Anastasia Kriegel argued that no witness had shown the boy intended to kill. Patrick Gageby SC asked the jury whether any evidence proved the boy's intent to kill or to kill Kriegel. He also highlighted the boy's lack of prior legal contacts and the immaturity of teenagers, urging jurors to consider the boy's age. Gageby noted that the prosecution's case relied largely on circumstantial evidence, including DNA and forensic findings, but questioned whether any evidence proved pre‑meditation. He warned against inferring intent from the boy's actions or from the presence of a bag and its contents. The defence maintained the boy's plea of not guilty and urged the jury to weigh the evidence carefully, especially given the boy's age and the seriousness of the allegations.
In the Central Criminal Court, Brendan Grehan SC presented the prosecution case against two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. He argued that Boy A was the principal perpetrator, citing an "overwhelming forensic case" linking him to the scene, including DNA from Ana's body and items found in his home. Grehan described Ana's violent death, detailing injuries, blood spatter, and forensic evidence that she fought for her life. He contrasted this with Boy B, for whom he said there was no forensic evidence but relied on Garda interviews that he had assisted the killer and helped conceal the crime. Grehan emphasized that both boys lied to Gardaí and that Boy B's statements were inconsistent, concluding that the evidence warranted conviction for murder and aggravated sexual assault. The case was set to proceed with Patrick Gageby representing Boy A. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the trial for the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel, the father of one of the accused boys, aged 14, testified that his son was "not capable of doing anything like that" and that the boy had lied to Gardaí and his parents out of fear of his co‑accused. He described how his son was seen with Ana on the day she disappeared, how the boy later claimed he was afraid of Boy A and that he would not speak to adults for fear of being punished. The father also recounted attempts to get his son to recall details of the night, noting the boy's reluctance and lack of trust. He added that his son had made weapons such as a bow and arrow and that the boy was arrested and held overnight for questioning. The prosecution's evidence was completed, the defence did not call witnesses, and the jury will return on Thursday. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a minor witness, referred to as Boy B, claimed that his co‑accused, Boy A, was attempting to set him up for the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy B described seeing Boy A place Ana in a headlock and attempt to force her to the ground, while Ana fought back by punching and kicking Boy A's arms and legs. Another child witness recalled that Boy A was "agitated and fidgety" after Ana's disappearance, whereas Boy B appeared calm. Both accused boys, aged 14, have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to Boy A's additional charge of aggravated sexual assault. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. The court heard five child witnesses in total.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a copybook found in the home of one of the 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel was presented. The book, titled "Drawing," contained a "Satanic pledge drawing," pentagrams, and a list of names that included the two accused. Rules in the book forbade speaking of Jesus or God, allowed only pledge hosts to give pledges, and instructed members to act normally. Boy A, also charged with aggravated sexual assault, pleaded not guilty to both counts. Boy B was interviewed by Garda Donal Daly, who explained the book's contents and his reference to a "satanist" homework club. Daly denied that Garda procedures were disingenuous and stated that Boy B was given opportunities to speak truthfully. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
In May 2019, Boy B, a 14‑year‑old, told Gardaí that his co‑accused, Boy A, had said he was planning to kill Ana Kriegel, a 14‑year‑old schoolgirl. Boy B claimed he did not believe Boy A was serious and did not know what Boy A intended to do. He also admitted lying to Gardaí about Ana's disappearance because he feared being framed by Boy A. Both boys are minors and have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Lucan, and Boy A has also pleaded not guilty to an aggravated sexual assault charge. Gardaí have reviewed 16 hours of Boy B's interviews, during which he described seeing Boy A wearing gloves, a mask and other items, and witnessing Boy A "flip" Ana and choke her while removing her clothes.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Boy B, a 14‑year‑old, told Gardaí that he witnessed his co‑accused, Boy A, raping Ana Kriegel, the 14‑year‑old schoolgirl who was murdered. Boy B said he fled when he realised what was happening. Both boys, who are minors, have pleaded not guilty to the murder. Boy A is also charged with aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The jury, composed of eight men and four women, has been viewing video footage of Boy B's interviews from July 2018. In the second interview, Boy B described entering the abandoned house, observing the interior, and then seeing Boy A and Ana in a room where Boy A allegedly choked Ana while removing her clothing. Boy B claimed he ran away after witnessing the assault. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
Wayne Duffy (46) and Darren Coughlan (46) were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cocaine for sale or supply. Both men admitted to the offence, which involved transporting 49kg of cocaine with a street value of €3,435,000. Judge Patricia Ryan described the incident as a planned and premeditated operation. Duffy, of Clonee, Dublin 15, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, while Coughlan, of Dunboyne, Co Meath, received a six-year sentence. Both sentences were backdated to December 6, the date they first went into custody. A third man, Bernadus Jozef Scherrenberg (47), was sentenced earlier this year to seven years' imprisonment for the same offence after pleading guilty in the District Court. The court heard that the drugs were concealed in plastic tubs within a Peugeot with a hidden hydraulic compartment. During a search of Coughlan's home, €45,250 in cash was found in a shed. Judge Ryan noted Duffy's 11 previous convictions, including three for drug offences, while acknowledging his cooperation with gardaí. For Coughlan, the judge considered his lack of significant prior convictions and his role as the least involved participant in the enterprise. Both defendants had pleaded guilty early in the process.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 14‑year‑old boy (Boy B) testified that he witnessed his co‑accused (Boy A) assaulting Ana Kriegel at an abandoned house. Boy B described seeing Boy A "flip" Ana, choke her, and strip her of her clothes while Ana repeatedly cried "No, no, don't do this." He claimed he fled the scene after seeing Boy A's actions. Boy B drew a picture of the incident and signed it for detectives. The boy, who was arrested in May 2018, gave a changing account of the events, stating he had initially followed the pair but left when Boy A told him it was fine. The testimony was presented to a jury of eight men and four women, with the trial proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The accused boys, both 14, have pleaded not guilty to murder and to aggravated sexual assault. The case remains in progress.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel gave conflicting statements to Gardaí. One boy, who denies the murder, said he left Ana at an abandoned house with the other boy, fearing that the other would handle the situation because he was "big, strong, tall." He claimed to have heard Ana scream, ran away, and later returned to the house, where he heard a strong scream that was muffled. The other boy denied that Ana's blood was found on the first boy's shoes and insisted he was not in the house where Ana's body was discovered. Both boys remain in court, pleading not guilty, and the trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In May 2019, a 14‑year‑old boy (Boy B) told Gardaí that he had lied in earlier interviews about the day Ana Kriegel disappeared. He claimed he fabricated a "fake story" because he could not remember the events and was scared and nervous. Boy B said that after reflecting he could not change his statement, so he "kept to the story." He later recounted that he had met Ana and Boy A at a BMX track, watched Ana's phone show 5.14 pm, let Ana talk with Boy A, then left after feeling bored. He also described seeing a woman who he thought was Ana in black and heels, but she did not respond. The Gardaí had previously recorded a different account and urged him to tell the truth. The case remains before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Boy B, a 14‑year‑old accused of Ana Kriegel's murder, told Gardaí that he viewed Ana as a lonely, outcast girl and a "weirdo" he should not be around. He described Ana as different, mature, taller, with a goth style, and said she was not popular because she was anti‑social. Boy B recounted that Boy A had called him to arrange a meeting with Ana in a park, but Boy A did not attend, allegedly because he was shy or feared negative backlash. Boy B also explained that Ana had shown him a "scary photo" of herself strapped to a chair and that they had walked together discussing vaccines. The court noted that Boy B's statements could only be used as evidence in his own case, not in Boy A's. The trial continues before Mr Justice McDermott and a jury. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, a forensic scientist presented a mixed DNA profile from semen stains on a Penney's vest top found at the scene of Anastasia Kriegel's murder. The profile matched the DNA of one of the two 14‑year‑old boys accused of the killing, Ana's DNA, and an unidentified third person. The scientist argued it was a thousand million times more likely that the DNA came from Ana, Boy A and an unknown individual rather than from three unrelated people. The vest top was torn and could not be worn in its condition, and the scientist noted force was required to cause the damage. The court also heard Boy B's interview, in which he described his movements on the day of the disappearance, including a conversation with Boy A that led to him agreeing to call Ana's house. The hearing continued under Justice Paul McDermott. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic evidence showed that blood matching Ana Kriegel's DNA was found on a backpack, mask, gloves and knee pads seized from the home of one of the two 14‑year‑old boys accused of her murder. John Hoade of Forensic Science Ireland presented the mask to the jury, noting that DNA on its inside matched both Ana and the accused known as Boy A. He also reported that DNA matching Boy A was found on Ana's neck and on tape wrapped around her neck when her body was discovered. The DNA evidence was collected from items in Boy A's bedroom, including a mask described as a "half mask" with a jagged mouth and simulated blood, as well as gloves, knee pads and a snood. Blood on the mask's inside and outside matched Ana's DNA, and a mixed profile of Ana's and Boy A's DNA was found in the mouth area. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a trial before the Central Criminal Court, two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel were examined. Data from Boy A's i‑Phone 6 was presented, showing a search for "abandoned places in Lucan" and a video titled "15 most gruesome torture methods in history." The court heard that Boy A claimed his co‑accused was lying after a statement from Boy B was read to him. Boy A also faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. Both boys pleaded not guilty. The proceedings are being heard by Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women. The case remains ongoing.
In the Central Criminal Court, two 14‑year‑old boys are charged with the murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. Boy A, who is also charged with aggravated sexual assault, was questioned by Garda officers after they told him Ana's blood was found on his boots. He replied, "are you joking me?" and asked if they were serious. The court heard that Garda officers had shown him CCTV footage, discussed the definition of murder, and explained the difference between truth and lies. Boy A denied being in the room where Ana was assaulted and said he was not with her in the lead‑up to her disappearance. He also denied that the male in the footage was him. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 May 2019, forensic scientist John Hoade presented DNA evidence linking blood found on a pair of black Timberland boots to the murdered 14‑year‑old schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel. Hoade explained that the boots, allegedly worn by one of the 14‑year‑old accused boys, bore nine distinct blood‑stained areas that matched Kriegel's DNA. He described the stains as evidence of blood spatter and percussive contact, suggesting the wearer either assaulted or was in close proximity to Kriegel when she was attacked. Hoade also examined a charred stick and a concrete block recovered near Kriegel's body, noting blood transfer and percussive stains on the stick that matched Kriegel's DNA, while he declined to sample the block's stains as they were not considered weapon evidence. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. Anastasia Kriegel pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, two 14‑year‑old boys, Boy A and Boy B, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy B told a garda that he arranged to meet Ana in a park because he "didn't want to be seen with her" and that Ana was wearing a "slutty top" when he brought her to the park to meet Boy A. Boy A, who is also charged with aggravated sexual assault, claimed he met Ana the previous Monday in a park and that after leaving her he was assaulted by two men. He described being knocked to the ground, kicked, and having his arms stomped on, and that Ana had "brushed him in the chest area." The trial will continue next week before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women.
During a Central Criminal Court murder trial, a 14‑year‑old boy (Boy B) told a school counsellor that he had been "dragged into this mess" by his co‑accused (Boy A). He repeated this claim about ten times and insisted he was not the last person to see Ana Kriegel alive. Boy B also suggested that men who had allegedly attacked Boy A might have kidnapped Ana. The counsellor, Gerardine Small BL, noted that Boy B was calm, articulate and bright, and that he had spoken to Gardaí three times, describing the questioning as an "interrogation" and feeling pressure. Boy B said he had gone to the park with Ana on 14 May because Boy A had asked him to bring Ana, who fancied Boy A, and that Boy A had been injured later that day. He left Ana and Boy A in the park and did not consider Boy A a close friend. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Professor Marie Cassidy, the former State Pathologist, testified at the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. She described the death as "a very horrific death", caused by blunt force trauma to the head or compression of the neck. Cassidy noted more than 50 injury sites, some possibly defensive wounds, and highlighted four separate impacts to the right side of the head consistent with a small, heavy object or the corner of something larger. Other facial injuries suggested blows from a large, long, heavy object. She found no alcohol or drugs in Ana's system and stated she was "extremely healthy" before her death. Cassidy also reported evidence of attempted vaginal penetration, but could not determine consent. She observed injuries near the door where Ana was found and noted blood staining on the wall and floor. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel, 14, was found dead at Glenwood House in Lucan on 14 May 2018. The body lay on her back with a blue tape noose around her neck, which she appeared to be pulling away. The tape, identified as Tescon insulation tape, was wrapped once around her neck and knotted. Blood‑stained timber, a concrete block, and various clothing items were recovered from the scene, including a black hoodie, leggings, and boots. The accused, two 14‑year‑olds, pleaded not guilty to murder and to an aggravated sexual assault charge. The jury viewed the scene, a 3‑D reconstruction, and forensic evidence, while the trial proceeded before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. The case remains at the Central Criminal Court stage.
During the trial, one of the two 14‑year‑old boys who denies murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel told a Garda that he believed the injuries the other accused claimed were inflicted by older boys were actually caused by Ana. The court heard that the boy, while giving DNA swabs, said Ana had put her hand across his shoulder and chest and that this might be helpful. Both boys, whose names cannot be disclosed because they are minors, pleaded not guilty to murder and to the aggravated sexual assault charge. The prosecution presented evidence that the boys were seen with Ana on the day she went missing and that one boy was beaten by two older youths in a local park. The trial continues before a jury and a judge.
During the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with murdering Anastasia Kriegel, park ranger Norman Macken testified that on the day of her disappearance he heard a man banging on the ranger hut. The man claimed his son had been "jumped on" in the woods by "big fellas". Macken approached the boy, who appeared disheveled, with blood on his fingers and clothes, and described him as looking "like a rabbit caught in the headlights". The boy, about 16, did not engage with Macken and was later seen shaking. Macken noted the boy's father said he was capable of self‑defence. The testimony was given to the Central Criminal Court as part of the ongoing proceedings against the two accused boys, who have pleaded not guilty to murder and an aggravated sexual assault charge. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
During the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with the murder of Anastasia Kriegel, a dog walker named Gerard Redmond testified that he saw a schoolboy make a direct, 45‑degree turn from a low embankment into a ditch and then head straight toward the abandoned Glenwood House where Ana's body was found. Redmond described the boy's path as a "beeline" and suggested the boy was simply taking a shortcut home. A child witness also reported seeing Ana and one of the boys walking together in a nearby park, laughing and joking. Additional witnesses described the boy's injuries and alleged that he had been attacked by two people in the park. The court continued the hearing with a judge's order restricting reporting to a single media outlet. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Glenwood House pleaded not guilty.