Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8348Murder · Co. Dublin · 17 May 2026

Second teenager charged with murder of Alex Coughlan in Blanchardstown

Alex Coughlan was assaulted at around 4.20pm on 17 May 2026 on Mill Road in Blanchardstown, Dublin, and was found unconscious and taken to hospital in a critical condition. He died on 20 May 2026. Gardaí charged two boys, aged 17 and 16, in connection with the incident, initially with causing serious harm and robbery, and the charges were later changed so that both boys face murder charges. The DPP has directed trial in the Central Criminal Court. At the Dublin Children's Court on Monday 17 August 2026, the case resumed before Judge Patricia Cronin, and both boys remain in custody in Oberstown Children Detention Campus after being refused bail earlier.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Aug
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Alex Coughlan was assaulted in Blanchardstown and later died of his injuries.
Where
The assault took place on Mill Road in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
When
  • The assault happened at around 4.20pm on 17 May 2026.
  • Mr Coughlan was pronounced dead on 20 May 2026.
Cause
  • A post-mortem found that Mr Coughlan suffered traumatic head and neck injuries.
  • Coughlan had severe bruising, and there was evidence of alleged suffocation and choking.
  • The court heard the meeting was arranged under false pretences to commit robbery and extortion, with no other motive.
Other details
Coughlan was found unconscious and taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Investigation
Gardaí said the assault was sustained and that footage of it was available.
Charges
  • Gardaí charged two boys, aged 17 and 16, in connection with the incident.
  • The boys were originally charged with causing serious harm to Mr Coughlan under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and also with robbing him of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring.
  • Sources differ on which boy's assault charge was changed: one says the second boy was further charged with murder and his assault charge removed, while another says the 17-year-old's assault causing harm charge was withdrawn and superseded with a murder charge.
  • The 16-year-old is also to face trial on a murder charge.
In court
  • The DPP has directed trial in the Central Criminal Court for the pair.
  • The case resumed before Judge Patricia Cronin at the Dublin Children's Court on Monday 17 August 2026.
  • The judge said a bail application in a murder case must be dealt with by the High Court.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe assault took place on Mill Road, Blanchardstown. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereAlex Coughlan was assaulted on Mill Road in Blanchardstown. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenAlex Coughlan was assaulted at around 4.20pm on 17 May. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenMr Coughlan was pronounced dead on 20 May. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened at around 4.20pm on 17 May 2026. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenCoughlan was pronounced dead on 20 May 2026. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeA post-mortem established that Mr Coughlan suffered traumatic head and neck injuries. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe court heard the meeting was arranged under false pretences to commit robbery and extortion offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeA post-mortem found that Coughlan suffered traumatic head and neck injuries. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeCoughlan had severe bruising and there was evidence of alleged suffocation and choking. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said the assault was sustained and footage of it was available. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeGardaí charged two 16-year-old boys in connection with the incident. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe boys were originally charged with causing serious harm to Mr Coughlan under section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe boys were also charged with robbing Mr Coughlan of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe second boy was further charged with murder and his assault charge was removed. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe second boy's co-accused had his assault allegation superseded with a murder charge earlier that week. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeGardaí charged two boys, aged 17 and 16, in connection with the incident. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe boys were originally charged with causing serious harm to Coughlan under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe boys were also charged with robbing Coughlan of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe 17-year-old's assault causing harm charge was withdrawn and superseded with a murder charge. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed trial in the Central Criminal Court for the pair. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe boys have not yet been served books of evidence or indicated a plea, and are due back in court on Monday. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe boys remain in Oberstown Children Detention Campus after being refused bail earlier. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case resumed before Judge Patricia Cronin at the Dublin Children's Court on Monday. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed trial in the Central Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said a bail application in a murder case must be dealt with by the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe 17-year-old was remanded in continuing custody pending preparation of a book of evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe 16-year-old was also remanded in continuing custody and is also to face trial on a murder charge. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe matter falls under the juvenile protocol, which sets a 12-month time limit to complete the trial process from the initial charge. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCoughlan was found unconscious and taken to hospital in a critical condition. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe court heard the meeting was arranged under false pretences to commit robbery and extortion, with no other motive. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Aug2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Two teenage boys to face trial for murder of Alex Coughlan in Co Dublin

    Reports the Dublin Children's Court hearing on Monday 17 August 2026, where the older boy's assault causing harm charge was superseded by murder, the DPP directed trial for both boys, and the robbery charge remains.

    victim, Alex Coughlan, 37, irish (judged from name)Alex Coughlanaccused, 17, maleaccused, 16, male
  2. 1 Aug2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Second teenager’s case upgraded to murder following fatal assault on Alex Coughlan

    Reports the DPP directing trial in the Central Criminal Court and the upgrade of the second teenager's charge to murder. No existing case matched.

    victim, Alex Coughlan, 37, male, irish (judged from name)Alex Coughlanaccused, 17, maleaccused, 17, male