An 18-year-old student died from brain damage after he was kicked in the head by a gang of at least four youths outside a well-known Dublin hotel, a court has heard.
Brian Murphy was attacked after an altercation occurred outside Club Annabell's nightclub in the Burlington Hotel. He was punched and knocked to the ground and subsequently kicked in the head after he became isolated from a larger fight that had broken out.
He was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital but in the ambulance on the way he suffered respiratory arrest and despite attempts to resuscitate him he died shortly after arriving at the hospital, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told.
Mr Andrew Frame (22), from Nutley Lane, Donnybrook, Mr Dermot Laide (22), from Rossvale, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, Mr Sean Mackey (23), from South Park, Foxrock, and Mr Desmond Ryan (22), from Cunningham Road, Dalkey, have all pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Murphy at Sussex Road on August 31st, 2000.
They have also denied committing violence disorder by using or threatening to use unlawful violence on the same date.
In his opening address to the jury, Mr Edward Comyn SC (with Mr Brendan Grehan SC), prosecuting, described the case as a tragedy, not only for Mr Murphy, but for the four accused who are charged with his death.
Mr Comyn said some 714 people were in attendance at Club Annabell's which was hosting a promotion night for students and there would be evidence from a lot of young people during the course of the trial which he said was estimated to last between three and four weeks.
The jury would hear there was some disagreement between Mr Murphy and one of the accused, Mr Frame. It was unclear who started it but outside a scuffle developed, which grew into something far more serious involving a number of young people.
Mr Murphy got isolated from the larger group and was knocked to the ground and kicked in the head and body by a group of possibly six people but at least four. The fight only lasted a short time but Mr Murphy was rendered unconscious as a result.
He was taken by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital at approximately 3.30 am but despite the best attempts of hospital staff to resuscitate him he died at 4.57 am.
The trial continues before Judge Michael White and a jury of eight men and four women.