BOY ACCUSED OF MURDERING ANA GETS BAIL
Prosecution says ‘significant progress’ made in case
A BOY of 13 charged with the murder of Kildare schoolgirl Ana Kriegel is to be granted bail.
The boy, who cannot be named because he is under 18, was the first to be charged with killing the 14-year-old girl at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on May 14.
Her body was found at the disused farmhouse three days after she was reported missing.
The accused was due to face his fifth hearing at the Dublin Children’s Court yesterday after being charged and remanded in custody on May 25 and then refused bail on June 29 by the High Court.
Judge John O’connor had been told at the Children’s Court the prosecution had made significant progress in the case and a psychiatric assessment was carried out.
The case was listed again yesterday. However, the boy was not present.
Defence solicitor Donough Molloy told Judge O’connor the boy was before the High Court at that time. Mr Molloy said he understood bail had been granted there but he was not yet aware of the terms.
There was a recess in the case and when it resumed a State solicitor told Judge O’connor that the High Court’s order was being drawn up and finalised.
Judge O’connor agreed to a “remand in custody with consent to bail”.
He was also told it was understood bail would not be taken up by the boy for several days. Judge O’connor adjourned the case until Thursday.
He had heard at an earlier hearing that the Director of Public Prosecutions’ direction under Section 52.4 of the 2001 Children Act would be ready this week.
The book of evidence was being drafted and would probably be ready in three or four weeks, Judge O’connor was told at another hearing on July 23.
Anastasia, known as Ana, who was adopted from Russia at two, left her home in Leixlip, Co Kildare, at about 5pm on May 14 but did not return.
Her parents were unable to contact her phone and alerted gardai. Her body was found at a disused farmhouse three days later.
On July 12 a second 13-yearold boy was charged with the girl’s murder and he was also remanded in custody. He will face his next hearing today.
There has been no indication yet as to how either boy intends to plead.
The Children’s Court judge has issued a warning to social media users that any attempt to identify them would result in prosecution.