Boy B told friend he believed co-accused was setting him up, trial hears

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Both boys pleaded not guilty to murdering 14-year-old Ana Kriegel on 14 May 2018. Boy A also denied a charge of aggravated sexual assault. The prosecution alleged that Boy A murdered and sexually assaulted Ana and that Boy B assisted the murder, knowing what was going to happen.

The witness said that, in June 2018, Boy B told him that he, Ana and Boy A had been in the park on the day of her disappearance after Boy B called to her house. The three then walked to an abandoned house, where Boy B said Ana and Boy A got into a physical argument that grew more violent. The witness said Boy B told him that Boy A got Ana into a headlock and onto the ground, and Boy B ran away.

The witness said Boy B believed Boy A was setting him up by making him call for Ana and told him not to tell anyone. According to Boy B's senior counsel, Damian Colgan, the witness said in his statement to gardaí that he had been in a “mental dilemma”, spoke to his parents and that they arranged for him to speak to gardaí the following day.

Another witness said the boys had told him they were the last people to see Ana in the local park. The trial continued before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.