A friend of the teenager allegedly killed by four schoolboys outside the Burlington Hotel in Dublin has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court the attackers roared in celebration when the victim fell to the ground.
Mr Michael Hussey told the court the attackers appeared pleased when Brian Murphy - who died shortly after the attack - hit the ground under a volley of punches and kicks.
He also said he hit one of the alleged assailants, Mr Andrew Frame, on the back of the head a number of times because he was part of a group that descended Mr Murphy after he was involved in a scuffle with another one of the accused, Mr Sean Mackey.
Mr Hussey told Mr Edward Comyn SC (with Mr Brendan Grehan SC), prosecuting, the came after Mr Murphy punched Mr Mackey after they bumped into each other.
The witness Mr Frame was part of the group though he did not see him strike Mr Murphy. He also claimed Mr Dermot Laide - one of the four accused - was among the attackers.
Mr Hussey also conceded to Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, for Mr Frame, that he knew and did not like the defendant.
Mr Andrew Frame (22), from Nutley Lane, Donnybrook, Mr Sean Mackey (23), from South Park, Foxrock, Mr Desmond Ryan (22), from Cunningham Road, Dalkey, all Co Dublin, and Mr Dermot Laide (22), from Rossvale, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan have pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Murphy at Sussex Road on August 31st, 2000.
The four have also denied committing violence disorder by using or threatening to use unlawful violence on the same date.
Under questioning from Mr John Edwards SC, for Mr Laide, the witness denied counsel's claim that Mr Frame has passed a group of his friends before Mr Murphy bumped in to Mr Mackey.
He also denied he and Mr Murphy were the aggressors and that Mr Frame had been punched by Mr Hussey, Mr Murphy and other members of their group and that Mr Laide and Mr Mackey went to his assistance.
The court also heard from a friend of the accused Mr Alan Dalton, who said he saw about five or six people standing in front of Mr Frame and they seem to be jeering but he wasn't sure at who.
He told Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that a fight ensued and that he saw a man in a red jumper throw a punchyat Mr Frmae before later falling to the ground holding his head.
Mr Dalton also said he also saw Mr Laide at the edge of the fight kicking out at somebody's shins a number of times and that Mr Ryan was at the edge of the melee and threw one punch "over the top" before retreating.
The trial continues before Judge Michael White and a jury of eight men and four women.