Woman pleads guilty to posting photograph of Boy A in Ana Kriégel case

Hazel Fitzpatrick (25) remanded on bail until sentencing in November

Hazel Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to posting a picture on her Facebook account which included an image of Boy A in contravention of the Children’s Act 2001. Photograph: Collins Courts
Hazel Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to posting a picture on her Facebook account which included an image of Boy A in contravention of the Children’s Act 2001. Photograph: Collins Courts

A woman has pleaded guilty to posting a photograph online of one of the boys convicted of the murder of Ana Kriégel.

Hazel Fitzpatrick (25) of Easton Green, Easton Road, Leixlip, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to posting a picture on her Facebook account which included an image of Boy A in contravention of the Children's Act 2001 within the State on or about June 19th, 2019.

Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, defending, told the court that her client has no previous convictions and asked the court to direct a report from the Probation Service in the circumstances.

Judge Melanie Greally agreed to order the report. She said she was not sure if there were any victim-impact implications, but said if there are she was directing a victim-impact statement on a non-prejudice basis.

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The judge remanded Fitzpatrick on continuing bail and adjourned the matter for sentence on November 4th.

Murdered in 2018

Ana Kriégel was aged 14 when she was murdered at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, on May 14th, 2018. Her body was found in the disused farmhouse on May 17th, three days after she was reported missing.

One teen, known as Boy A, was sentenced to detention for life with a review after 15 years for her murder. Boy B was given a 12-year sentence with a review after eight years but is appealing his conviction. Both are now aged 16.

They were 13 at the time of the murder and as juveniles had the legal right to anonymity. After their trial, images appeared on social media purporting to identify them.