LAST UPDATE | 12 Jul 2018

A SECOND 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been remanded in custody after he was charged today with the murder of schoolgirl Ana Kriegel.

The boy, who cannot be named because he is under 18, is accused of the murder of 14-year-old Anastasia Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May, contrary to common law.

He was remanded in custody to appear again on 18 July next.

Anastasia, known as Ana, who was adopted from Russia at the age of two, left her home in Leixlip, Co. Kildare at about 5pm on 14 May however, she did not return.

Her parents were unable to contact her phone and alerted gardai. Her body was found at the disused farmhouse three days later.

The young boy, dressed in a pink hooded top, dark blue jeans and black trainers, appeared before Judge John O’Connor at the Dublin Children’ Court this morning.

He sat on the defendant’s bench close to his mother who was seated beside his solicitor David Powderly.

Judge John O’Connor introduced himself to the boy and asked him if it was his first time in court. “Yes,” the boy replied and then looked around the room as the case proceeded.

Detective Sergeant Damien Gannon gave evidence of his arrest and being charged.

He told Judge O’Connor the boy was arrested at his home at 8.15am today. He was then conveyed to Lucan Garda station where he was charged. Detective Sergeant Gannon said the boy, “made no reply to the charge after caution”.

He was handed a true copy of the charge and, “his mother was present at the time of arrest and the time of charge”

At this stage, the boy raised his right hand and quietly asked permission to use the toilet. He was brought out to the toilet and re-entered the courtroom two minutes later when the proceedings resumed.

Judge O’Connor said that due to the nature of the charge the Children’s Court did not have jurisdiction to rule on the issue of bail.

Legal aid was granted.

Judge O’Connor asked Detective Sergeant Gannon if the special directions, necessary due to the boy’s age, had been obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Detective Sergeant Gannon said, “The DPP has given them”, however, he did not have a copy of the directions with him.

Judge O’Connor said the press reporters in court were aware of the reporting restrictions in the case and he gave a warning which he said was directed to social media. He said the child had a right to a fair trial and also, he stressed, the right to anonymity, a protection provided by the Children’s Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

He warned that no details of the boy’s name, address or school or any photos that would identify him could be published or any other details that would identify him.

Bail in murder cases can only be granted in the High Court.

The court probation officer was asked to check if there was a space available in the Oberstown detention centre in north Dublin to hold the boy. Det Sergeant Gannon said he had already enquired and there was a place available. The judge said he was obliged to check.

Mr Powderly said, “There is no other issue I need to raise to the court”.

Once it was confirmed there was a space to hold the boy, Judge O’Connor remanded him in custody to the Oberstown detention centre to appear again on 18 July next.

He allowed the boy’s mother spend time with her son before he was transferred but said that had to be done downstairs in the building.