Men convicted over Anabel death to learn appeal fate

Two of the men convicted in connection with the death of teenager Brian Murphy are to learn the results of their appeal today.

Dermot Laide (aged 23) from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, is currently serving a four-year jail sentence for manslaughter and violent disorder in relation to the death of the 18-year-old outside Club Anabel in Dublin in August 2000.

Desmond Ryan (aged 24) from Dalkey, Dublin, who received a nine-month sentence for violent disorder, is currently out on bail pending the result of his appeal.

The three-judge Court of Criminal Appeal is to deliver its judgment at 10.30am today.

Denis and Mary Murphy, the parents of the slain teenager, are expected to be in court for the judgment, along with friends and family of the two accused.

Lawyers for Laide have based their appeal on more than 50 grounds, including the media coverage of the trial and the ‘prejudicial’ editing of statements made by his co-accused.

Lawyers for Ryan have claimed that his trial was prejudiced by the media coverage and that his arrest was unlawful.

Last year, the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected an appeal from the third man convicted in connection with the death of Brian Murphy.

Sean Mackey (aged 24) from Foxrock, Dublin, was jailed for two years for violent disorder.

A fourth accused man, Andrew Frame (aged 23) from Donnybrook, Dublin, was acquitted of violent disorder during the original 36-day trial last year.