Manslaughter trial reaches closing stages

The closing stages have been reached in the trial of two youths charged with the manslaughter of a teenager at Portobello Bridge in Dublin two years ago.

Ronan McGrath, aged 19, from Deerpark Road, Castleknock, and Fergal Cagney, aged 20, from Greenacres, Kilteely, Co Limerick, have pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing 19-year-old David Langan at Grove Road on August 30, 2000.

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

McGrath also 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 but the jury has been told to ignore this charge. The trial has continued for six days.

The jury of eight men and four women will retire to consider its verdict after it has been addressed by Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, for McGrath, and Mr Shane Murphy SC, for Cagney, and then charged by Judge Dominic Lynch.