Laide lawyers attempt to have case reopened

Lawyers for Dermot Laide, who is facing a retrial on a charge of the manslaughter of a Dublin students, are seeking to have his…

Lawyers for Dermot Laide, who is facing a retrial on a charge of the manslaughter of a Dublin students, are seeking to have his case reopened before the Court of Criminal Appeal.

They also wish to have the case referred to the Supreme Court on a point of law, it emerged today.

The case came before the Court of Criminal Appeal today following its judgment in February quashing Laide's conviction for the manslaughter of student Brian Murphy outside Club Anabel in the Burlington Hotel, in August 2000. The court directed a retrial on that charge.

The court upheld his conviction for violent disorder for which he was given a two-year sentence.

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The Court of Criminal Appeal decided that when Laide completes his sentence for violent disorder this autumn, he may be released on bail pending a new trial of the manslaughter charge.

The court was adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

Mr Justice Brian McCracken also granted an application by Laide's lawyers that he be moved from the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise — where he is at present — to Loughan House open prison in Blacklion, Co Cavan, which is nearer his home in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.

The court also adjourned an application for costs by Dermot Ryan (24), Cunningham Road, Dalkey, Dublin, who had his conviction for violent disorder arising from the Anabel incidents overturned in the February judgment.

Mr Ryan was given a nine month sentence but was on bail pending appeal and never spent time in jail.

Last year, the Court of Criminal Appeal turned down an appeal by Sean Mackey (24), South Park, Foxrock, Dublin, against a two year jail sentence on a violent disorder charge, which charge also arose from the same incident.