Boy, 13, in Ana killing case will go on trial
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy accused of the murder of Kildare schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel is due to go on trial in the Central Criminal Court.
It’s understood the child will be the youngest person ever to face a murder trial in the history of the State.
The teen came into court yesterday with his mother who led him by the hand.
He sat beside her and she clasped one of his hands and caressed his face during the hearing in the Children’s Court.
The book of evidence was served on the teen in court by Detective Sergeant Damien Gannon and then handed over to defence solicitor David Powderly. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, is charged with murdering the 14-year-old girl at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan, on May 14. He was the second boy to be charged over her death.
He had been held in custody at the Oberstown detention centre in north Dublin since July 12, when he was charged, until last week when he was granted bail with strict conditions by the High Court.
The State solicitor said the DPP consented to the boy being sent forward for trial on to the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court.
Judge John Cheatle noted the book of evidence had been served and told the teen he was being sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court on bail.
The teen stood up as he was given the usual alibi warning.
Judge Cheatle told him that if he intended to use an alibi or a witness putting him in a different place other than the time and location of the alleged offence he must tell the prosecution within 14 days. The boy nodded and said ‘okay’.
The teenager thanked the judge before leaving the courtroom holding hands with his mother. At his first hearing on July 12, at the Children’s Court, Detective Sergeant Gannon said the boy ‘made no reply to the charge after caution’. A date for his next hearing has yet to be allocated.
His co-accused, now aged 14 but who was also aged 13 at the time of the girl’s death, is also on bail and due back in court on Thursday when it is expected he will also be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial.
He was released on bail at the start of this month.