A 15-year-old youth last night appeared before a special sitting of Carlow District Court charged in connection with the death of 14-year-old Daragh Conroy in Mountmellick, Co Laois, on Tuesday night.
The youth, who cannot be named, was charged under Section Four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was charged with assault causing harm.
Garda Colm Hannon told the court he had arrested the 15-year-old at his home in Mountmellick early yesterday morning and had taken him to Portlaoise Garda Station.
The youth was accompanied in court last night by two relatives - a man and a woman.
When asked by Judge Gerard Furlong if he understood the charges he said: "Yeah".
It was the only time he spoke during last night's brief court appearance.
Supt Noel McCarthy requested that the young man be held at Oberstown Detention Centre for Boys at Lusk, Co Dublin. This was granted.
Judge Furlong made a request that the youth receive "all appropriate psychiatric and medical attention" while in custody.
The court heard that the young man had previously received psychiatric treatment and that his parents were separated.
The youth was remanded to appear again at Portlaoise District Court tomorrow.
