Bail refused again for teen in Blanchardstown fatal assault of Alex Coughlan

A 16-year-old charged over the death of Alex Coughlan in Blanchardstown was denied bail at the High Court. Post-mortem found traumatic head and neck injuries.

Second bail refusal for teenager charged over death of Alex Coughlan in Blanchardstown

A post-mortem has confirmed that Alex Coughlan, 37, died as a result of traumatic head and neck injuries sustained during an attack on Mill Road, Blanchardstown last month, the High Court in Cloverhill heard on Tuesday. TheJournal.ie reports that a 16-year-old boy charged in connection with his death was refused bail for a second time before Judge Sean Gillane.

Mr Coughlan was found unconscious on Mill Road on 17 May. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition and pronounced dead three days later.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with causing serious harm to Mr Coughlan under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. They are also charged with robbing him of his bank cards and a €300 gold ring. Both boys cannot be named as they are minors.

The pair were first refused bail in the District Court on 20 May. The younger of the two defendants brought a fresh application before the High Court, which was also denied.

Sustained assault captured on video

Garda Sergeant Emma Ryan, objecting to bail, told the court that Mr Coughlan suffered severe bruising and that there was evidence of suffocation and choking. His injuries — including scrapes to his knees and elbows and the absence of defensive wounds — were consistent with a man on his knees, she said.

Sergeant Ryan agreed with Keith Branagan BL, for the State, that it was a sustained assault and that footage was available. She described the clip as a "small snippet" recovered from the 16-year-old's phone that "showed the deceased on his knees begging for his life, before the selfie camera shows the teenager's face."

The meeting had been arranged under false pretences, the court heard, with no motive other than robbery and extortion. Mr Coughlan was walking along the road when the pair blocked his path. The second teenager punched him; he fell and attempted to run but was pursued by both boys and subjected to further kicks and punches.

The co-accused allegedly told Mr Coughlan: "I will smash the fuck out of you, you fucking little bitch." The 16-year-old bail applicant then demanded his gold ring. A witness reported seeing Mr Coughlan on his knees "crying and pleading to the two males."

Cards used in local shops minutes later

Mr Coughlan's AIB and Revolut bank cards were used in nearby shops within minutes of the attack. The gold ring — a gift from his father — was taken and worn by the 16-year-old, who still had it on him when he was arrested on 19 May.

Sergeant Ryan expressed concern that the teenager had regarded the deceased as prey. The court heard that Mr Coughlan's number had been saved in the co-accused youth's phone under the name "Prey 2."

She also told the court that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to bringing a more serious charge.

Defence application rejected

Defence counsel Ronan Prendergast BL, instructed by solicitor Brian Keenan, told the court that there were no messages exchanged between his client and Mr Coughlan. He submitted that the boy had been attending school and was accompanied to court by his father, who had €1,000 available as surety. Counsel said his client would comply with conditions and engage with a bail supervision scheme linked to the juvenile justice system.

Sergeant Ryan agreed under cross-examination that there were no such messages between the boy and the deceased.

Judge Gillane nonetheless refused the application. Noting the objections raised, he said the boy had to be aware that Mr Coughlan was left "prone, injured and bloodied."

Source: TheJournal.ie