Schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel (14), whose body was found in a disused farmhouse in May, died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, an inquest into her death was told on Tuesday.
Anastasia, known as Ana, who was adopted from Russia aged two, left her house in Leixlip around 5pm on May 14th. Gardaí were alerted when she did not return home and a search was launched the following day.
Her body was found at the disused farmhouse on the Clonee Road, Lucan three days later, on May 17th.
Her parents, Patrick and Geraldine Kriegel, attended the opening of the inquest into her death at Dublin Coroner’s Court, accompanied by Garda Liaison Officer Siobhan McIntyre.
Mrs Kriegel entered the witness box to give evidence of how she identified her daughter’s remains.
“On May 18 at 4pm I and my husband identified our daughter Anastasia Eva Kriegel to Garda McIntyre,” Mrs Kriegel said.
Garda McIntyre of Ronanstown Garda Station confirmed this event took place at Dublin City Morgue and she formally identified the remains to pathology staff.
A post-mortem conducted by State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
Det Insp Mark O’Neill informed the coroner that “proceedings have been instituted against two persons in relation to Ana’s death”.
Det Insp O’Neill made an application to the court under Section 25 Subsection 2 for the inquest to be adjourned until after criminal proceedings are complete.
Two teenagers have been charged with Ana’s murder at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on May 14th last.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane granted the adjournment as requested and explained the process to Ana Kriegel’s parents.
“The inquest will not return to this court until and unless all criminal proceedings are concluded. An Garda Síochána will keep this office informed of developments,” Dr Cullinane told Patrick and Geraldine Kriegel as they sat in the public gallery.
“My deepest condolences to you and to the whole family on your loss in these tragic circumstances. It is not required for you to come back to this court again before criminal proceedings are completed and if there is anything else we can assist you with please contact us,” the coroner said.
The inquest was then formally adjourned until after criminal proceedings are complete.