Grieving father who died four years after daughter’s murder ‘couldn’t take the pain’

Patrick Kriegel’s heartbroken wife Geraldine paid tribute to their ‘best friend and soulmate’ at his funeral, four years after their daughter Ana was killed with a concrete block

The father of a schoolgirl who was brutally murdered by two boys “couldn’t take the pain of losing his little girl,” his wife told mourners at his funeral.

Patrick Kriegel died peacefully at his home in County Kildare, Ireland, just four years after 14-year-old Ana was killed by two 13-year-olds.

She had been sexually assaulted and hit with a concrete block when her body was found in an abandoned farmhouse in County Dublin.

Known as Boy A and Boy B after being granted anonymity for life, the two are the youngest to be convicted of murder in Irish history.

Patrick, originally from Paris, was remembered by his heartbroken wife, Geraldine, during the service at Newlands Cross Crematorium. Dublin live reports.

During the service, which was a celebration of Patrick’s life, a poignant recording was played of Patrick singing one of his favorite French songs “L’Invitation Au Voyage” by Leo Ferre.

A slide show of photos showing Patrick and his family, including his beloved late daughter Ana, in happier times was shown on a large screen in the crematorium.

Paying affectionate tribute to her “best friend and soul mate,” Geraldine told mourners Patrick “opened a beautiful book for me that became the story of our lives together.”

In a recorded message played to mourners at the service, Geraldine said: “He took me to a place I could never have imagined – a world of happiness, passion and excitement.

“If you met him, he could fill your heart with joy just by listening to his laughter and genuine interest in you and your life.”

Patrick moved to Ireland from France many years ago and taught Commercial and Business French.

Commenting on the tragedy that befell the Kreigel family with the murder of their beloved daughter Anastasia by two schoolboys on May 14, 2018, Geraldine added: “The sadness came and how we suffered.

“Life was never the same. My darling Patrick couldn’t take the pain of losing his little girl, his beloved Ana.”

Among the mourners was Brendan Grehan, SC, who was prosecuting Boy A and Boy B for Ana’s murder during their trial.