Ana Kriegel died from blunt force trauma, according to the former State Pathologist who carried out her post-mortem.

Professor Marie Cassidy presented her conclusions to the jury today in the trial of two teenage boys accused of murdering the 14-year-old schoolgirl in Dublin.

The two boys, who can't be named because of their age, have pleaded not guilty to murdering Ana Kriegel on May 14th last year.

Boy A is facing and denies an additional charge of aggravated sexual assault.

Before Professor Cassidy was called to present the findings of her examination of Ana's body, the jurors were told an application to excuse the boys from attending during her evidence had been granted by the judge.

The former State Pathologist said she went to the derelict farmhouse where Ana was found before the body was removed for a post-mortem.

Her impression was that she had suffered severe injuries in the area closest to the doorway, before being moved to a part of the room that was better lit.

She said she had dirt and dust all over her naked body and a strip of material was loosely around her neck.

The evidence suggested she was dead for several hours if not longer, she said.

Professor Cassidy outlined over 60 injuries to Ana and concluded that she died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Under cross-examination by the barrister for Boy B, she agreed it was a “horrific death” and accepted anyone witnessing something like that would be traumatised”.

Reporting by Frank Greaney

Main image: Gardaí outside a deserted building, where the body of Anastasia Kriegel was found | Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie