A Swedish man died following an incident at a public house in New Ross, Co Wexford, almost two years ago, Wexford Circuit Court heard yesterday.
A total of nine people are charged in connection with the death of Mr Eric Forsmark (30), on July 20th, 2003.
Seven of the accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of violent disorder and endangerment at Wickham's pub in the town.
They are Mr Raymond Kelly of Brandon Park; Mr Owen Lennon of Barrack Lane; Ms Sinead Kane of Bosheen; Mr Anthony O'Leary of Bosheen Estate; and brothers Ian, Stephen and Jonathan Bolger, of Nunnery Lane, all in New Ross. Ms Kane also pleads not guilty to a third charge of assisting offenders.
Two more accused, husband and wife Mr Seán and Ms Noeleen Wickham, of Wickham's pub, Mary Street, New Ross, have pleaded not guilty to endangerment and intent to pervert the course of justice.
In his opening statement yesterday before a jury, counsel for the State, Mr Pat McCarthy SC, said Mr Forsmark was in Wickham's pub with "a number of acquaintances", on the night of the incident.
He named Mr Forsmark's "acquaintances" in court as Mr Seán Winnett; Mr Jamel Bensala; Mr Daniel Stephens and Mr Colin Coleman.
Mr McCarthy said the accused were among other people gathered in the pub that evening. He told the jury "a violent disorderly incident" occurred on the premises, but it was unclear how it started.
Mr McCarthy said a number of "outsiders" got involved in a game of pool with some of the accused and lost a lot of money as a result.
"Between 12.10 a.m. and 12.30 a.m. an attempt was made to obtain drink," he added. "One witness will say he went up to the bar to seek tequilas and another witness will say a number of attempts were made to seek drink after hours by Mr Bensala."
Mr McCarthy said all of the accused appear to have been sitting around the pool table. It is suggested that Mr Owen Lennon said he and a friend could not obtain drink because outsiders were present.
Mr McCarthy told the jury that Mr Forsmark was alleged to have been "pushed out" of a group of people engaged in violent disorder.
"The man fell on the ground outside the toilets in the pub and was subsequently found on the ground by the owners," he added.
According to the prosecution statement, assistance was given to Mr Forsmark on the ground by a number of other customers.
"Mr and Mrs Wickham, with the assistance of Mr Jonathan Bolger and Mr Raymond Kelly, removed Mr Forsmark from the public house and placed him on the pavement outside," the State then alleged.
The jury was told that Mr Forsmark's "friends" returned and placed him on the bonnet of a nearby car but he slid off. "The man was taken to hospital by ambulance and subsequently died," added Mr McCarthy.
After hearing the prosecution's opening statement, Judge Patrick McCartan told the jury that the case was "now open". The trial continues today.