Eye-witnesses in the trial of a man and woman accused of murdering Darren McKeown in Drogheda in 2007, have said they saw his head hitting the ground at full force after being pushed and that he was later kicked by a woman.
Michael Cruise (19), from Donore Avenue, Ballsgrove in Drogheda and Louise Wall (21), of Cranmore, Clogherhead, have both pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr McKeown (29).
They have also denied a second count of violent disorder on dates between Christmas Day and St Stephens Day, 2007.
It's the prosecution's case that Mr McKeown died after being subjected to a "prolonged, sustained and vicious attack" at a Christmas party in the Rowan Heights estate, Drogheda.
The Central Criminal Court has heard that Mr McKeown and a large number of people were attending the party at a house which had a reputation for being a "party house."
Witnesses described Mr McKeown as being very drunk, and also said he was being mocked during the party, because he was missing patches of hair.
One witness, John Kelly, said he saw Louise Wall laughing at Mr McKeown in the kitchen. He advised Mr McKeown to leave and wanted to give him money for a taxi home, but Mr McKeown remained at the party.
Another witness, Ronan McGuane was visiting his father at the house next door. He saw Mr McKeown standing on a green area outside, and a youth around 16 years old running out of the house party and pushing him.
He said Mr McKeown fell back and his head hit the tarmac "full-force." The witness said he could hear the impact, even though he was standing some distance away. He said the youth appeared stunned and after a few seconds ran back into the house.
Mr McKeown looked as if he was unconscious for a while, and then Mr McGuane saw him get to his feet shakily, but he fell over again and hit his head hard on the tarmac. The witness heard the thump again and became upset and told the occupants of the house to ring for an ambulance.
The same youth who had pushed Mr McKeown came back out of the house and helped him to his feet, bringing him back inside. Mr McGuane said he heard a woman shouting "get him out of the house." The ambulance was cancelled after this. But Mr McGuane said he was upset and concerned at what he had seen, and wanted to bring Mr McKeown to hospital in his vehicle. He said his family told him not to interfere.
Michelleen Barnett, the next door neighbour who rang the ambulance at Mr McGuane's request, said she looked out of her window about half an hour later and saw Mr McKeown lying on the green area.
She said a number of people were standing around him, and a woman was standing at his head. She saw the woman kicking him in the head.
When asked if she knew who the woman was, Ms Barnett replied that had seen her going in and out of the house next door quite a few times. She said the woman had knocked on her door before and asked her to ring a taxi to bring her to Clogherhead.
The trial resumes on Monday morning before the jury of six men and six women.