Court hears teenager was 'fatally struck twice'

A Co Limerick man fatally struck a teenager twice in the head after being urged to do so by his cousin who earlier threatened to kill the victim after a row outside a disco, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today.

David Langan died on August 30, 2000 in hospital, five days after cracking his skull on the ground after being assaulted by Fergal Cagney on Portobello Bridge.

Cagney's cousin, Ronan McGrath, had earlier had an altercation with Mr Langan outside the Palace disco on Camden Street.

Cagney (aged 20), from Greenacres, Kilteely, Co Limerick, and McGrath (aged 19), from Deerpark Road, Castleknock, pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing 19-year-old Mr Langan at Grove Road in Dublin.

Both also denied intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct causing harm to Mr Langan on August 25, 2000.

McGrath pleaded not guilty to a third count, that he did on August 25, 2000, issue a threat to kill or cause serious injury to Mr Langan who believed this threat would be carried out.

Mr Thomas Rooney told Mr Michael Durack SC, prosecuting, that he went into Dublin city centre that night with a bunch of friends.

Mr Langan, who worked in Dunnes Stores Blanchardstown, met them in the Palace after he finished work.

McGrath and Cagney also joined the group in the disco later that night. The group came out on to the street at about 3am and an altercation between McGrath and Mr Langan took place.

Mr Langan incensed McGrath when he pushed him up against the shutters of the Palace.

Mr Rooney said Mr Langan's friend, Philip Rahill, pulled the deceased away and brought him up the road to get a taxi and to get him away from McGrath.

McGrath was restrained by Cagney and the witness (Mr Rooney) and began to run up the road towards Portobello after Mr Langan.

Mr Rahill turned to block him and McGrath was then restrained when the other two caught up.

Mr Rooney said McGrath was very agitated and continued to shout and call names in the direction of Mr Langan.

When the victim and his friend crossed over the bridge they turned right and Mr Langan sat down on the wall. Mr Rahill went out on to the road to try to hail a taxi.

The three others then arrived on the scene and Mr Rooney said McGrath just wanted to talk to Mr Langan. He allowed them to do that but their conversation became heated and they began to square up to each other.

Mr Rooney said he pulled McGrath away but the accused threatened to kill Mr Langan.

He then said: "Hit him, Fergal" to his cousin and the Limerick man did so.

Mr Rooney said Cagney hit him once with the heal of his right hand above Mr Langan's left ear.

Mr Langan then crouched forward and Cagney hit him again on the back of the head.

Mr Rooney said he was pushed by McGrath when he tried to pull Cagney away and was forced to turn around. When he turned back Mr Langan was lying face-up on the road and wasn't moving.

McGrath phoned an ambulance on his mobile and they stopped a passing patrol car.

Mr Rooney accompanied Mr Langan in the ambulance to St James' Hospital and the three others followed in a taxi.

Mr Rahill earlier claimed he didn't see the fatal incident because he was standing on the road trying to hail a taxi. He just saw Mr Langan 'stumble' and fall to the ground.

An eye-witness, accountant Peter Cannon, said he went over to see if he could help Mr Langan but left when he saw he was still breathing. One of the youths asked him for a cigarette and said their friend just fell over.

Mr Cannon said he disregarded this statement because he had seen a heated conversation between the group and, although he didn't see a punch being thrown, he didn't believe Mr Langan simply fell and banged his head.

The trial continues before Judge Dominic Lynch and a jury of eight men and four women.