One of the accused in the Brian Murphy manslaughter trial told gardaí that if he could turn the clock back and change everything he would, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
The court previously heard that Mr Desmond Ryan told gardaí he punched Mr Murphy in the face and jaw area as he tried to get up off the ground.
He also said in an interview following his arrest on September 26th, 2000, that he got involved in the fight because he saw Mr Andrew Frame and Mr Sean Mackey, two other accused, having an altercation with four or five guys.
Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, read out to the jury the interview notes that Sgt Desmond McHale took from Mr Ryan on the date of his arrest.
He said he had never seen Mr Murphy before and didn't know what started the fight.
He said he didn't hit anyone else other than the deceased and was only involved for about five seconds. Mr Ryan told gardaí he turned away after he punched Mr Murphy because "he was getting the s*** kicked out of him" and when he turned back he just saw "loads of feet". He said Mr Murphy was conscious when he walked away.
Mr Ryan denied to the gardaí that he kicked Mr Murphy and said in the interview: "The guy should be at home with his family. He should be going to college and enjoying himself. If I could turn the clock back, I would. There is a kid dead over it. He should be at home, having fun with his friends."
Sgt McHale agreed with Mr Patrick Gageby SC, for Mr Ryan, that his client was a man with no previous convictions.
Mr Andrew Frame (22), Nutley Lane, Donnybrook; Mr Sean Mackey (23), South Park, Foxrock, Mr Desmond Ryan (23), Cunningham Road, Dalkey - all of Co Dublin - and Mr Dermot Laide (22), Rossvale, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, have pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of 18-year-old Mr Brian Murphy at Sussex Road on August 31st, 2000.
The four former Blackrock College students have also denied committing violent disorder by using or threatening to use unlawful violence on the same date.
Mr Grehan also read to the jury an excerpt from the toxicology report that confirmed Mr Murphy's blood was screened and tested for illicit substances following his death and that there were traces of cannabis found.
The jury was also shown closed-circuit television footage of Mr Frame entering the nightclub on the night, which proved that his hair was black at the time. Earlier evidence from some witnesses indicated that Mr Frame's hair may have had highlights or contained peroxide.
The jury was also shown the video footage of Mr Laide being refused entry to Club Anabel on the night and later outside the disco talking to some people.
Mr Grehan also read to the jury an extract from the statement of Dr Michael Burrington, from the forensic science laboratory, which said that he received a blood sample from Mr Laide and from Mr Murphy, as well as a swab from a small blood stain on Mr Laide's left shoe.
It confirmed that the DNA profile obtained from the shoe matched Mr Laide's own profile and not Mr Murphy's.
Yesterday, on the 22nd day of the trial, the prosecution officially closed its case in front of the jury of eight men and four women.
Judge Michael White told the jury there were now a number of issues that needed to be dealt with in its absence and asked it to return tomorrow morning.
He apologised to the jury over the fact that the case had overrun somewhat, but said it was often the way in a lengthy, complicated trial.