Brian Murphy trial jury set to begin deliberations

The judge in the Brian Murphy manslaughter trial will tomorrow continue his charge to the jury before they retire to consider their verdict.

Judge Michael White spent all of today summarising the testimony of various witnesses who have given evidence in the case since it started on January 13.

Sean Mackey (aged 23), from South Park, Foxrock, Desmond Ryan (aged 23), from Cunningham Road, Dalkey, all Co Dublin, and Dermot Laide (aged 22), from Rossvale, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan have pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of 18-year-old Mr Murphy at Sussex Road on August 31, 2000.

Andrew Frame (aged 22), from Nutley Lane, Donnybrook had also denied that charge but last week Judge White directed that he be found not guilty because of insufficient evidence against him.

The four former Blackrock College students have also denied committing violent disorder by using or threatening to use unlawful violence on the same date.

Judge White said he would recount to the jury matters surrounding the individual accused tomorrow, in particular the various statements that they made to gardaí.

He will also outline what the prosecution case is against each accused and matters that their various counsels have raised on their behalf.

Finally, he will go through with the jury a number of principles of law and how they should approach their deliberations.

He told them that he would be about an hour-and-a-half and in the jury room they would have the benefit of a number of memos of interview and other exhibits, as well as facilities to watch three videos that are exhibits in the case.

Judge White also told them that they would then be given the issue paper on which their verdicts are to be written.