Ireland Court hears judge can't review Boy B's sentence in Ana Kriegel murder case
The Central Criminal Court judge Mr Justice Paul McDermott accepted on 19 January 2026 that he cannot review the 15-year detention sentence he imposed on Boy B in 2019 for the 2018 murder of schoolgirl Ana Kriegel in Lucan, following a Supreme Court ruling that sentencing courts lack jurisdiction to review terms of detention for child offenders. Boy A, who was sentenced to life with a review after 12 years, will appeal his sentence in light of the same ruling.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court19 Jan
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBoy B lured Ana from her home under the guise of a romantic encounter with Boy A (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBoy A was dressed all in black and wearing a ghoulish mask, shin guards and knee pads when he sexually assaulted Ana (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBoy B lied repeatedly to gardaí and others after the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBoy A had expressed an intention of killing Ana Kriégel a number of weeks previously. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBoy B initially denied any knowledge of what happened to Ana when approached by gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn his final interview, Boy B admitted seeing Boy A assault Ana and remove some of her clothing but denied playing any part in her murder. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponBoy B provided builder's tape which was used during the strangulation of Ana (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponBoy A beat Ana repeatedly with a piece of wood and a large block (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBoy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault in a manner that involved serious violence (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBoy A was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault of Ana Kriégel involving serious violence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Iseult O'Malley at the Supreme Court ruled that a sentencing court does not have jurisdiction to review terms of detention imposed on child offenders (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBoy A will appeal his sentence in light of Ms Justice O'Malley's ruling (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBoy B previously lodged an appeal against his conviction but withdrew it on the morning of his hearing in October 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Supreme Court found that life sentences for a child convicted of murder should only be imposed in exceptional cases (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA Central Criminal Court judge accepted he cannot review the sentence imposed on Boy B. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court held life sentences for a child convicted of murder should be imposed only in exceptional cases. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBoy B withdrew his appeal against his conviction on the morning of his hearing in October 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBoy B's lawyers argued at trial that he was an innocent bystander. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceIn 2019, Mr Justice McDermott sentenced Boy B to 15 years' detention with a review after eight years from the date of the offence (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBoy A was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years, and eight years imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBoy B is now aged 21 and cannot be named due to protections for underage offenders under the Children Act (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAna was adopted from Russia by her parents Geraldine and Patric (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Jan2026Court accepts it cannot review ‘Boy B’s’ sentence for murdering Ana Kriégel
Reports that Mr Justice McDermott accepted he has no further function in reviewing Boy B's 15-year sentence after the Supreme Court's ruling by Ms Justice O'Malley, and suggested Boy B seek legal advice on the Supreme Court's guidelines for sentencing juvenile murderers. Also notes Boy A will appeal his life sentence in light of the same ruling.
victim, Ana Kriégel, 13, female, non-irish (judged from name)Ana Kriégelconvicted, 13, maleconvicted, 13, male - 19 Jan2026Ana Kriegel murder: Court hears judge can't review Boy B's sentence
Reports that the Central Criminal Court judge accepted he has no further function in reviewing Boy B's 15-year sentence after the Supreme Court ruled sentencing courts cannot review detention terms for child offenders, and that Boy A will appeal his life sentence in light of the same ruling.
victim, Ana Kriegel, female, non-irish (judged from name)Ana Kriegelconvicted, Boy B, 21, male, namedBoy Bconvicted, Boy A, male, namedBoy A