An order has been made by the judge in the Brian Murphy manslaughter case over media coverage of the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Michael White has directed that the media cannot comment on the demeanour of the accused during the hearing or their interaction with each other in the courtroom.
Judge White also ordered that the reaction of people in court to sworn testimony cannot be reported nor can the media comment on or give implied opinions on the evidence given by witnesses. He also directed that publications be banned from running prominent advertisements on the trial.
He directed that "the media are not entitled during the course of this trial to publish prominent advertising as was set out in the Irish Independent on the 17th day of January, 2004, advertising articles in relation to this trial".
Judge White made his order following more than a day of legal argument by counsel in the absence of the jury, the contents of which he also restricted the media from reporting.
The judge had previously expressed concerns over some of the publicity the case had received and urged the jury to ignore newspaper reports.
Mr Andrew Frame (22), Nutley Lane, Donnybrook, Dublin; Mr Sean Mackey (23), South Park, Foxrock, Dublin; Mr Desmond Ryan (22), Cunningham Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin; and Mr Dermot Laide (22), Rossvale, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, have pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of 18-year-old Mr Murphy at Sussex Road, Dublin, on August 31st, 2000.
The four former Blackrock College students have also denied committing violent disorder by using or threatening to use unlawful violence on the same date.
Evidence about the night when Mr Murphy was kicked to death in a violent argument outside the Burlington Hotel resumed yesterday from Mr Alan Leonard, who was at Club Anabel on the night with three of the accused, Mr Frame, Mr Mackey and Mr Laide.
Mr Leonard told Mr Brendan Grehan SC (with Mr Edward Comyn SC), prosecuting, that when he left the club at the end of the night with his girlfriend, Ms Orla Healy, he saw a group of about 12 to 15 youths standing in a circle just outside the front gate of the Burlington Hotel.
He recognised Mr Murphy in the middle of the group because they were in Scouts together and had played for the same football club. Mr Murphy was also wearing a distinctive red shirt that made him stand out.
Mr Leonard said there seemed to be an argument developing and he then saw Mr Murphy throw a punch but he didn't see at whom, or if the blow connected with anyone.
"Mayhem broke out then and arms were swinging from all angles. Orla seemed to get distressed and I tried to shield her from the fight. When I looked over again I saw Brian Murphy falling heavily on his back and saw him receive three or four kicks to the upper part of his body, near his shoulder."
When he looked over again he saw a number of people place Mr Murphy on his side but he didn't recognise any of those who were landing the kicks. Mr Leonard said he then saw one of the accused, Mr Frame, standing at the side of the road and he appeared to be involved in an altercation with another person. He saw Mr Frame punch this other person but this fight was broken up fairly quickly.
Mr Leonard said he saw no other problems and left the scene shortly afterwards in a taxi with his girlfriend and two of her friends.
The trial continues before Judge White and the jury of eight men and four women.