Two teenagers sent to trial for murder and robbery of Alex Coughlan

Two teenagers, both aged 17, have been sent to the Central Criminal Court for trial following allegations of the murder and robbery of 37-year-old Alex Coughlan. The case stems from an incident on May 17 in Blanchardstown, where Mr. Coughlan was allegedly assaulted on Mill Road after an arranged meeting via the dating app Grindr.

Mr. Coughlan was found unconscious and died three days later at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. Prosecutors allege the youths robbed the deceased of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring. During proceedings in the Dublin Children’s Court, Judge Shalom Binchy declined to sever the robbery charges from the murder charges, ruling that the cases are inherently linked.

Neither defendant has entered a plea and both remain in custody on remand. The trial is expected to be listed in the next legal term.