A senior Garda officer heading the investigation into the killing of the Dublin student Mr Brian Murphy has dismissed reports that an inter-school rivalry caused the violence outside the Burlington Hotel.
Det Supt P.J. Browne, of Pearse Street Garda station, last night said graduates of various schools and colleges had attended the student night at Club Anabel on Wednesday night.
"It's the greatest load of balderdash . . . There is nothing to indicate rivalry between colleges was behind this incident."
He expressed confidence that the inquiry was progressing well. "I'm quite happy we will have a successful outcome at the end of the day but it will take some time."
Detectives are still taking statements from the 114 people present at the scene.
A number of the youths have yet to be identified, and when all statements had been taken a process of elimination and cross-referencing techniques would be used, he added.
Mr Murphy (18) died in the early hours of Thursday as a result of injuries sustained from a series of blows and kicks to the head and face during an assault by a group of young men. Gardai believe more than 700 people attended the disco and a large crowd was present around the gates when shouting and jibing between youths who had consumed alcohol began, leading to fighting.
The incident had erupted "from nothing", lasted a few minutes and was not preplanned, Det Supt Browne said. "It was a complete act of stupidity. All this talk of inter-college rivalry is helping no one," he said.
According to Det Supt Browne, the public response to the Garda appeal had been "fantastic" and young people had shown great responsibility by coming forward.
Other Garda sources suggest inquiries are beginning to focus on teenagers who formerly attended one particular boys' school.
Many of the young men involved in the wider scuffle knew each other from playing rugby but sources stress that the social scene and friendships were not divided exclusively along school lines. Up to 14 people may have been involved in the wider scuffle.
Friends of the dead teenager comforted each other as they gathered at the scene to leave flowers and cards.
"Brian, I don't know what to say now. It wasn't supposed to happen like this," one card said. "Thanks for always making me laugh, cause I will never forget yours," another said.
It is understood Mr Murphy had attended two southside Dublin boys' schools before enrolling in Bruce College and finally the Pre-University Centre, where he sat his Leaving Certificate in June.
It is understood he had no immediate plans to take up a college place and had been working in a summer job. Both he and his father Denis, an accountant, were keen soccer players.