Laide and Mackey released after serving Anabel’s sentences

The two men jailed in connection with the death of Brian Murphy during a fight at a Dublin nightclub five years ago have been freed from prison after they completed their sentences.

Twenty-three-year-old Dermot Laide, from Castleblaney in Co Monaghan, and 24-year-old Sean Mackey, from Foxrock in Dublin, were each jailed for two years in March 2004.

The Prison Service confirmed this morning Mr Laide was freed from Loughan House open prison in Co Cavan last night, while Mr Mackey was released from Shelton Abbey in co Wicklow this morning.

The pair were convicted of violent disorder in connection with the fight that led to the death of 18-year-old Mr Murphy outside Anabel's nightclub in August 2000.

Mr Laide was also convicted of manslaughter, but this was quashed on appeal and he is now facing a retrial.

Another man, Desmond Ryan, was also convicted of violent disorder in connection with the case, but this was overturned on appeal, while a fourth defendant was acquitted during the original trial.