Ireland Two teenagers sent forward for trial over alleged murder of Alex Coughlan in Blanchardstown
Two boys, both now aged 17, have been sent forward for trial over the alleged robbery and murder of Alex Coughlan, a 37-year-old man, after he was assaulted on Mill Road in Blanchardstown on May 17th. Coughlan had been contacted through the Grindr app, was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in critical condition, and was pronounced dead three days later. Gardaí charged the two boys with murder and robbery, and at the Dublin Children's Court on a Monday neither indicated a plea and Judge Shalom Binchy refused to sever the robbery charge. Both were sent forward on two charges each to the Central Criminal Court, where they remain in custody on remand, and no date has yet been set for that appearance.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court21 Sep
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two teenagers have been sent forward for trial over the alleged robbery and murder of Alex Coughlan, a 37-year-old man.
- Coughlan was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in critical condition and was pronounced dead three days later.
- Where
- Coughlan was assaulted on Mill Road in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
- When
- The assault took place on May 17th, and the two youths met Coughlan on Mill Road at 4.15pm that day.
- Cause
- A postmortem found that Coughlan died from head injuries and external neck compression.
- It is alleged that Youth One told his co-defendant that Coughlan had tried to touch him.
- Investigation
- Coughlan was contacted and befriended through the Grindr app, and a forensic examination of Youth One's phone found contact with him through Grindr the day before the incident.
- It is alleged that Youth One and Coughlan arranged to meet at Millennium Park, and they spoke for nearly eight minutes on WhatsApp about 45 minutes before the incident.
- Other details
- It is alleged that Youth Two said "Get a clip around his head", filmed Coughlan being struck, and then turned the camera to selfie mode.
- Charges
- Gardaí charged two boys, both now aged 17, with murder and with robbing Coughlan of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring.
- In court
- The two youths appeared before Judge Shalom Binchy at the Dublin Children's Court on a Monday, and neither indicated a plea.
- The judge refused to sever the robbery charge from the murder charges.
- Both youths were sent forward on two charges each to the Central Criminal Court for trial and remain in custody on remand.
- A date has not yet been set for the Central Criminal Court appearance.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo teenagers were sent forward for trial over the robbery and murder of Alex Coughlan. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoughlan was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in critical condition and was pronounced dead three days later. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place in Blanchardstown. (gript.ie)
- whereCoughlan was contacted and befriended through the Grindr app in Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
- whereCoughlan was assaulted on Mill Road. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault took place on May 17th. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe two youths met Coughlan at Mill Road at 4.15pm on May 17th. (irishtimes.com)
- causeA postmortem found that Coughlan died from head injuries and external neck compression. (irishtimes.com)
- causeIt is alleged that Youth One told his co-defendant that Coughlan had tried to touch him. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA forensic examination of Youth One's phone found he had been in contact with Coughlan through Grindr the day before. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationIt is alleged that Youth One and Coughlan had arranged to meet at Millennium Park. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCoughlan and Youth One spoke for nearly eight minutes on WhatsApp about 45 minutes before the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe teenagers are accused of the robbery and murder of Alex Coughlan. (gript.ie)
- chargeGardaí charged two boys, both now aged 17, with murder and robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwo teenagers have been sent forward for trial. (gript.ie)
- courtThe two youths appeared before Judge Shalom Binchy at the Dublin Children's Court on a Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtNeither youth indicated a plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge refused to sever the robbery charge from the murder charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBoth youths were sent forward on two charges each to the Central Criminal Court for trial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe youths remain in custody on remand. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA date has not yet been set for the Central Criminal Court appearance. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlex Coughlan was contacted and befriended through the Grindr dating app. (gript.ie)
- otherIt is alleged that Youth Two said "Get a clip around his head" and filmed Coughlan being struck. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIt is alleged that Youth Two filmed Coughlan being struck before turning the camera to selfie mode. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Sep2026Two teenagers face trial for alleged murder of Alex Coughlan after Grindr contact
Details of the Dublin Children's Court proceedings where Judge Shalom Binchy refused to sever the robbery charge and sent both youths on two charges each to the Central Criminal Court, along with prosecution evidence including CCTV, witness accounts, forensic phone examination, and postmortem findings.
victim, Alex Coughlan, 37, male, irish (judged from name)Alex Coughlanaccused, 17, maleaccused, 17, male - 21 Sep2026Pair sent for trial over murder and robbery of Alex Coughlan - Gript
Reports that two teenagers have been sent forward for trial. The article gives no incident date, names, ages or nationalities for the accused.