A DNA EXPERT has told the murder trial of Ana Kriegel that he found the teenager’s blood on Boy A’s boots. 

This morning, the court heard from John Hoade who said he studied the boots which were handed over to Forensic Science Ireland. Hoade said he examined a number of separate areas of blood staining on the soles and upper ends of the boots. 

He told the court that the blood found on these boots matched that of Ana Kriegel.

Two boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, have pleaded not guilty to the 14-year-old girl’s murder. Boy A has also been charged with aggravated sexual assault – a charge he also denies. Both boys were 13 years old at the time of the alleged offences.

Ana’s body was discovered in a disused house three days after she disappeared in May last year. 

It is being alleged by the prosecution that Boy A murdered Ana and sexually assaulted her. It is the prosecution’s case that Boy B assisted the murder and knew what was going to happen.

Hoade showed the court the various locations he found blood on the boots. He said there was staining, as well as spatter to be found along a number of areas of each boot. He said there was also blood staining on the heel of the right boot. 

Hoade, in his testimony, told the court that he believes the blood evidence indicates that “Boy A either assaulted Ana Kriegel or was very close to her when she was assaulted”. 

Hoade also told the court that he examined a piece of wood which was also blood stained.

He said, through his analysis, that he found Ana’s blood on a number of sections of the item. There was no other evidence of anyone else’s DNA. The court heard that the section of wood also had a nail protruding from one of its ends.

The court also heard evidence from Detective Garda Marcus Roantree. He told the court that Boy A and his family were invited to attend a garda station on 24 May, a week after Ana’s body was found, where he was to be arrested. His fingerprints, palm prints as well as DNA were taken from him.

Yesterday, the court heard from Detective Garda Gabriel Newton who had interactions with both Boy A and Boy B during investigations. She was initially dealing with the alleged assault suffered by Boy A in the park on the day of Ana’s disappearance.

Newton said she requested the clothing Boy A was wearing and said it was important she did so as there could be traces of the attackers’ DNA which could have been transferred to his clothing during the assault. 

The court was then shown the clothes Boy A had been wearing on the day. His iPhone was also taken as evidence. 

Detective Garda Newton said she also called to the home of Boy B a number of hours after Ana’s body was found. She had arranged this meeting prior to the discovery of Ana’s body.

The clothes worn by Boy B on the day were also handed over with the permission of his parents.

The trial continues.