School boy murder trial begins

The trial of a 17-year-old Dublin teenager who is accused of the murder of a school boy began today at the Central Criminal Court.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murdering the Dublin school boy on 13 October 2002 outside a cinema on Dublin’s north side.

The accused also denies robbing the victim’s mobile phone and a sum of cash on 12 October 2002.

Yesterday two Dublin youths pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the school boy, at the Central Criminal Court .

Mr Michael Maher (aged 18) of Crumcastle Park, Killmore West, Dublin 5 and Mr Anthony Whelan (aged 18) of Millwood Villas, Kilbarrick, Dublin pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a teenage boy who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The incident occurred outside a cinema on Dublin’s north side on 13 October 2002.

Mr Maher and Mr Whelan also pleaded guilty to robbing the victim’s Nokia mobile phone and a sum of cash on 12 October 2002. They also pleaded guilty to a further number of thefts also committed on the night of 12 October 2002.

Their guilty plea was accepted by the State.

Mr Justice Paul Carney said Mr Maher and Mr Whelan would be sentenced when the trial of the other youth before Mr Justice Henry Abbot had been completed.

Mr Justice Carney said yesterday at the Central Criminal Court that the matter would be dealt with on or after October 18 by the trial judge.

Prosecution counsel, Mr Brendan Grehan SC made an application to Judge Carney for a victim impact report to be prepared.