Ex-pupils of elite school jailed over club killing

Three former pupils of one of Ireland's most prestigious schools were jailed yesterday following the death of a teenager in a drunken incident outside a Dublin nightclub.

Three former pupils of one of Ireland's most prestigious schools were jailed yesterday following the death of a teenager in a drunken incident outside a Dublin nightclub.

The three are all in their early twenties and former pupils of Dublin's elite Blackrock College. Dermot Laide, who was convicted of the manslaughter of Brian Murphy, was sentenced to four years; Sean Mackey two years for violent disorder and Desmond Ryan nine months for the same offence. The judge at Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court allowed him to put off serving his sentence until he completes university exams.

Laide's father said his son was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. But Denis Murphy, the father of the victim, said: "No one should forget that our son Brian was savagely kicked and beaten to death and will not be coming back to us. Those connected with Brian's death will be back with their families in a relatively short period of time."

Brian Murphy died in 2000 after he was repeatedly kicked in an alcohol-fuelled fight. A witness said his attackers "behaved like animals''.

The judge said Laide had delivered two punches of "very considerable force" to Mr Murphy's head, adding: "His actions contributed substantially to the escalation of this incident and to Mr Murphy becoming surrounded and defenceless.''

At least two of those convicted are to lodge appeals.