A 15-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the death of a 14-year-old boy in Mountmellick, Co Laois last night.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons was charged at a special sitting of Carlow District Court with the death of Darragh Conroy from Mountmellick.
The boy was charged under Section 4 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The accused was remanded in custody to Obestown House pending a court hearing at Portlaoise District Court on Friday morning.
The arrest of the 15-year-old took place at his home at around 4 a.m.
It is understood Darragh died at the scene after being struck on the head by a blunt instrument.
Gardaí were called to the Smithfield area shortly before 11 p.m. last night and discovered a youth with serious head injuries at the scene.
It is believed the incident may have been the result of a fight over a mobile phone, although Gardai said they could not give specific details until a full investigation had taken place.
Mr Conroy's body has been taken from the scene - a field close to his home - to the mortury at Portlaoise General Hospital for a postmortem.