Man who died after Blanchardstown attack suffered 'traumatic' injuries, court hears
Alex Coughlan, 37, was found unconscious on Mill Road, Blanchardstown, on 17 May 2026 after being attacked by two boys aged 16 and 17 who had arranged to meet him under false pretences to rob him. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and died three days later; a postmortem found traumatic head and neck injuries, severe bruising, and evidence of suffocation and choking. The two boys, who cannot be named as minors, are accused of causing serious harm and robbing him of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring. They were refused bail in the District Court on 20 May, and the younger defendant's fresh bail application before Justice Sean Gillane in the High Court in Cloverhill was denied on 2 June. A file is being prepared for the DPP in relation to bringing a more serious charge.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court2 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Alex Coughlan, 37, was found unconscious on Mill Road, Blanchardstown, on 17 May 2026 after being attacked by two boys aged 16 and 17.
- The meeting was arranged under false pretences for the purpose of committing robbery and extortion offences.
- Coughlan was brought to hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead three days later.
- The 16-year-old told Coughlan to give him his gold ring, and Coughlan's bank cards were used in local shops minutes after the incident.
- Cause
- A postmortem found traumatic head and neck injuries, severe bruising, and evidence of suffocation and choking.
- Charges
- Two boys aged 16 and 17 are accused of causing serious harm under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and of robbing Coughlan of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring.
- In court
- The boys were refused bail in the District Court on 20 May 2026.
- The younger defendant's fresh bail application before Justice Sean Gillane in the High Court in Cloverhill was denied on 2 June 2026.
- Investigation
- A file is being prepared for the DPP in relation to bringing a more serious charge.
- Other details
- The ring, given to Coughlan by his father, was taken and worn by the 16-year-old, who still had it at the time of his arrest.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAlex Coughlan was 37 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoughlan was brought to hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead three days later (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoughlan suffered severe bruising and there was evidence of suffocation and choking (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe meeting was arranged under false pretences for the purpose of committing robbery and extortion offences (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoughlan was walking down the road before the pair blocked him, the second teenager punched him, and he was pursued by both boys receiving kicks and punches (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe 16-year-old told Coughlan to give him his gold ring (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoughlan's bank cards were used in local shops minutes after the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whatA ring given to Coughlan by his father was taken and worn by the 16-year-old, who still had it at the time of his arrest (irishtimes.com)
- whenCoughlan was found unconscious on 17 May 2026 on Mill Road, Blanchardstown (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file is being prepared for the DPP in relation to bringing a more serious charge (irishtimes.com)
- chargeTwo boys aged 16 and 17 are accused of causing serious harm under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe boys were also charged with robbing Coughlan of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe boys had been refused bail in the District Court on 20 May 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe younger defendant's fresh bail application before Justice Sean Gillane in the High Court in Cloverhill was denied (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Jun2026Man who died after Blanchardstown attack suffered ‘traumatic’ injuries, court hears
Postmortem findings of traumatic head and neck injuries, severe bruising, evidence of suffocation and choking presented at High Court bail hearing; footage from the 16-year-old's phone showed Coughlan on his knees begging for his life; the younger boy's bail application was refused by Justice Sean Gillane; a file is being prepared for the DPP for a more serious charge.
victim, Alex Coughlan, 37, male, irish (judged from name)Alex Coughlansuspect, 16, malesuspect, 17, male