One of three young men alleged to have attacked and killed 19 year-old Brian Mulvaney in Dublin three years ago, 'danced' on his head, a murder trial jury heard today.
At the opening of the trial of the three accused of the murder of Mr Mulvaney, prosecution counsel told the jury they will have to consider what each intended when they set about "beating and battering" the young man to death.
Mr Brian Willoughby (24), Orwell Park, Templeogue, Mr Neal Barbour (20), Domville Road, Templeogue and another teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons deny the murder of Mr Brian Mulvaney of Firhouse, Dublin on March 11th, 2000 at Templeogue.
At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Tom O'Connell SC for the prosecution said the state's case was that the three men "acted together as a gang" when they beat Mr Mulvaney to death.
Mr Mulvaney was found unconscious with severe head injuries at Watercourse, Orwell Park Drive in Templeogue in the early hours of March 11th. He died less than two hours later at Tallaght Hospital.
Trial judge, Mr Justice Barry White, heard the deceased and Mr Willoughby met at a party in a mutual friend's house in Templeogue on the night of the killing.
Mr O'Connell told the jury that Mr Willoughby was jealous of Mr Mulvaney at the party because a girl he was "infatuated" with, fancied the deceased.
"Brian Mulvaney tried to kiss her and this was seen by Mr Willoughby," counsel continued.
Most of the partygoers had been drinking and smoking hash and some, including the deceased had taken ecstasy.
Mr Barbour and the third accused were not at the party but they met up with Mr Willoughby after he had walked with Brian Mulvaney to the nearby Orwell Shopping Centre at 2am to buy cigarette papers.
"Mr Willoughby spoke to Neal Barbour and [the third defendant] and invited them to assist in battering Mr Mulvaney," counsel said.
"But there was also a certain territorial aspect to it," counsel continued. "Mr Mulvaney was not from that area and these young men regarded him as moving on to their territory," he said.
Evidence will be heard that following a chase Neal Barbour "brought down" Mr Mulvaney and when the other co-accused men caught up they set about punching and beating the 19-year-old victim as he lay on the ground.
Mr Barbour didn't directly participate in the beating, but the third named defendant beat Mr Mulvaney with a piece of timber and Mr Willoughby allegedly "danced" on his head.
"Mr Mulvaney didn't suspect the treachery that was about to befall him. He'd walked to the shops not expecting this calamity was about to fall upon him," Mr O'Connell said.
The trial continues tomorrow.