A Co Limerick man told gardaí a teenager stumbled and hit his head on the ground after he had struck him on the side of the head, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Det Sgt George McGeary read out a statement made to him by Mr Fergal Cagney, one of two men accused of manslaughter, on September 5th, 2000. Mr Cagney admitted hitting David Langan (19) on August 25th, 2000. Mr Langan cracked his skull on the ground and died in Beaumont Hospital on August 30th.
The incident happened on Portobello bridge, Dublin, after Mr Cagney's cousin, Mr Ronan McGrath, a friend of Mr Langan, had an altercation with him. The three men and a number of their friends had been socialising in the Palace disco on Camden Street.
Mr Cagney (20), Greenacres, Kilteely, Co Limerick, and Mr McGrath (19), Castleknock, Dublin, have denied unlawfully killing Mr Langan at Grove Road, Dublin, on August 30th, 2000. Both also pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct causing harm to Mr Langan on August 25th, 2000.
Mr McGrath has denied a third count of threatening to kill Mr Langan on the same date.
In his statement, Mr Cagney said he only hit Mr Langan once after he came at him with his hands raised. The evidence was that Mr Langan had a lot to drink and got into a scuffle with Mr McGrath outside the disco. The altercation continued up to Portobello bridge and three friends tried to restrain them.
Det Garda Thomas Stack read a statement made by Mr McGrath in which he described how Mr Cagney struck Mr Langan. Mr McGrath said he was angry after Mr Langan pushed him up against the shutters of the Palace following a brief exchange of words after people emptied on to the streets.
Dr Paula Phelan earlier told Mr Michael Durack, prosecuting, that when Mr Langan arrived at St James's Hospital, he had a serious head injury. A scan revealed bruising to the front and back of the brain. He was transferred to Beaumont Hospital. He never regained consciousness and died on August 30th.
His body was exhumed on December 18th and a further post-mortem was performed by the State pathologist, Dr John Harbison.
The trial continues.