The trial began yesterday of three men accused of assaulting a Limerick student, who has been in a permanent vegetative state since the attack.
Mr Robert Carlile (21), Grangewood Court, Douglas; Mr Alan Harte (21), Leamlara Close, Togher; and Mr William St Ledger (20), Woodview, Pinecroft, Douglas, pleaded not guilty before Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
All three are charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr Denis Franklin, from Pallasgreen, Limerick, at the junction of Kift's Lane and Grand Parade on February 17th, 2002, and of violent disorder on the same occasion.
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court prosecuting barrister Mr Patrick McCarthy SC said that an incident began in Kift's Lane on the night in question.
It involved two men fighting with a smaller individual. Mr McCarthy said that a "group gathered on the side of the shorter person" and the two involved in the original incident then left the laneway.
There were then two incidents of violence on Grand Parade - these two incidents involved Mr Franklin and his friend, Mr Rory O'Neill.
An ambulance took Mr Franklin to hospital but due to the injuries he sustained the victim has been left in a "permanent vegetative state".
The jury were told that they will see video footage during evidence.
They will also hear from witnesses who saw the attack from nearby buildings and also from members of the public who were standing on the road.
The trial continues at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Patrick Moran today.