Parents of Brian Murphy criticise State

Reaction: Brian Murphy's parents have criticised the State for its handling of their son's case and said they were "horrified" by what had happened in recent days.

In an interview with RTÉ News last night, Brian Murphy's father, Denis, said: "It seems to us now that the State has absolutely no competence in mounting an efficient and proper prosecution in a case like this. And it just seems to me that it's Alice in Wonderland law that we are dealing with now."

He was also critical of Dermot Laide's statement expressing "profound regret and remorse" for his involvement in the incident.

"But what does that mean? His regret that he has been caught up in this thing for six years? That his life has been made difficult for six years?

"He doesn't apologise to us and we don't want his apology, let us say."

Asked about the conflict between the findings of former State pathologist Prof John Harbison and current State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy,

Mr Murphy said the family had not had an opportunity to study Dr Cassidy's statement before it emerged yesterday.

"I think it upsets us somewhat to discover that that particular report was circulated in the media without us having the benefit of having seen it."

Dr Cassidy found that Brian had suffered "relatively minor" injuries that would not normally be expected to cause death.

She said alcohol-induced apnoea (where breathing stops) was a likely cause of the sudden deterioration in Brian's state.

Prof Harbison had found that Brian had suffered "considerable violence" and drew attention to his facial and head injuries.

Mr Murphy said it seemed "extraordinary" that Dr Cassidy could come to a sound opinion in a short period of time without having seen or examined Brian's body.

Brian's mother, Mary, said she wished the retrial could have proceeded so that the evidence would have been tested in court.

"Let the jury hear what she has to say and let the jury decide, not some official, anonymously."

Mr Murphy said the family's hopes had been raised by the prospect of the retrial.

Now they were left with "a wound that will never heal".