Two teenagers are to stand trial accused of murdering and robbing Dublin man Alex Coughlan after prosecutors alleged he was contacted through Grindr and targeted in a premeditated attack.
Coughlan, 37, suffered serious injuries during an assault on Mill Road in Blanchardstown on 17 May 2026.
He was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in a critical condition and died three days later.
Two boys, both now aged 17 but aged 16 at the time, have been charged with his murder and robbery.
Neither has indicated a plea.
At Dublin Children’s Court on 21 September, Judge Shalom Binchy ruled that both teenagers should be sent forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial.
Gardaí Allege Grindr Was Used To Arrange Meeting
Garda Sergeant Paul McMahon told the court that investigators believe Coughlan was contacted through Grindr before meeting the defendants.
Prosecutors allege one teenager had Coughlan’s phone number saved under the name “Prey two”.
Other numbers were allegedly stored on the same phone as “Preyy” and “Prey”, with one man linked to those contacts telling Gardaí he had also been approached through Grindr.
McMahon alleged the teenagers used the dating app to identify potential victims and arrange meetings before attacking them.
The court heard that Coughlan and one of the defendants spoke on WhatsApp for almost eight minutes around 45 minutes before the alleged attack.
CCTV is said to show the teenagers meeting Coughlan shortly after 4.15pm before heading towards a secluded area.
These allegations have not yet been tested at trial.
Witnesses Describe Sustained Assault
The court heard evidence from several witnesses about what allegedly happened next.
One witness said they saw three people together and heard someone shout a homophobic or accusatory insult at Coughlan before he was chased by two males.
Another witness said Coughlan was kicked two or three times in a “stamping motion”, while a second witness allegedly saw one teenager punch him in the side of the head.
A third witness told investigators that Coughlan was pleading while two males stood over him.
One of the teenagers is also accused of filming part of the assault on his phone.
A post-mortem found Coughlan died from head injuries and external neck compression.
Gold Ring And Bank Cards Allegedly Taken
Prosecutors allege the teenagers robbed Coughlan during the attack.
Items said to have been stolen included a gold ring worth around €300, an AIB bank card and a Revolut card.
The court heard that the cards were then allegedly used for purchases in nearby shops within minutes of the assault.
One defendant was later arrested with Coughlan’s gold ring in his waistband, prosecutors said.
Investigators also allegedly found a Snapchat image showing one teenager wearing the ring, followed by messages discussing the value of gold.
Gardaí argue the alleged attack was planned for financial gain.
Robbery Charges Will Remain With Murder Case
Judge Binchy was asked to consider whether the robbery allegations should remain in the Children’s Court rather than proceeding alongside the murder charges.
She rejected that request, finding that the allegations were inherently linked.
Both teenagers will therefore face trial in the Central Criminal Court on murder and robbery charges.
They remain in custody on remand, with a trial date yet to be set.
Because both defendants are minors, they cannot be publicly identified.
LGBTQ+ Community Raises Safety Concerns
The alleged use of Grindr has caused concern within Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community.
Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre said the case had renewed discussion around the safety of queer people using dating and hook-up apps.
CEO Oisín O’Reilly said Coughlan’s death had caused “enormous distress” while stressing the importance of allowing the courts to determine what happened.
The case highlights legitimate concerns around people using dating apps to arrange meetings under false pretences.
However, while prosecutors allege Grindr was used to identify Coughlan and witnesses reported hostile language during the assault, the court has not yet determined whether anti-LGBTQ+ hostility formed part of the motive.
That distinction will matter as the case progresses.
For now, two teenagers stand accused of a brutal, allegedly premeditated killing — allegations they will face when the case reaches Ireland’s Central Criminal Court.
