Teen boys to be charged with murder following fatal assault in Blanchardstown

Two teenagers aged 17 and 16 are to be charged with the murder of Alex Coughlan, a 37-year-old man who died after a severe assault in Blanchardstown, Dublin, in May. Coughlan was found unconscious on Mill Road on May 17th and was pronounced dead two days later at a hospital in critical condition. The postmortem examination revealed he had suffered traumatic head and neck injuries, including evidence of suffocation and choking.

The alleged assault occurred during an arranged meeting which was set up under false pretenses with the intent to commit robbery and extortion. Both boys, whose names are withheld due to their juvenile status, are currently held at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus and have not yet entered a plea. The 17-year-old had his charge of causing harm superseded with a murder charge, and he will be tried in the Central Criminal Court.

His bail application will be heard by the High Court. The 16-year-old co-accused is to be tried for murder as directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and he remains in continuing custody. The court heard that Coughlan was walking down the road when the accused blocked him, punched him, and he fell to the ground. The accused pursued him, kicking and punching Coughlan before stealing his identification cards and a gold ring.

The 16-year-old still had the ring on him when arrested. Both boys will undergo trials under the juvenile protocol, which sets a strict 12-month time limit to complete the trial process from the date of the initial charge.