At least five former pupils of a south Dublin private school are expected to face charges over the killing last week of the student Brian Murphy outside a Dublin nightclub last Thursday.
The 18-year-old died from multiple injuries he received during a fracas outside Club Anabel at the Burlington Hotel. According to witnesses, he was involved in an argument with two other youths when a fight broke out. Three other youths joined in, kicking and punching the youth until he fell to the ground. It is understood he received further blows while on the ground.
According to Garda sources, there have been a number of violent incidents arising from rivalry between well-known rugby-playing schools in Dublin. i say there There has been a series of incidents in Dublin and in holiday resorts where Leaving Certificate pupils from the schools gather.
Brian Murphy, who was a former pupil of two southside Dublin boys' schools before enrolling in Bruce College and completing his Leaving Certificate at the Pre-University Centre this year, had spent Thursday evening with friends at Club Anabel and was waiting for a taxi when the dispute broke out.
The youths who have been identified by gardai as being involved in the fracas are pupils or ex-pupils of a well-known south Dublin fee-paying school.
All are to be questioned by detectives this week and a file on the killing is to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According to gardai, there is considerable rivalry between the teams and supporters involved in schools rugby and this is increasingly turning into violence whenever pupils meet. Just over a week ago two youths from another Dublin school were attacked and one had his nose broken in a row with youths from the same school as the youths questioned about the killing of Brian Murphy.
Garda sources say there is a tendency for violence to break out when alcohol is consumed. Witnesses have told gardai that there was a large amount of drunkenness at the disco on Thursday last where cut-price alcohol was on offer as part of a promotion by a drinks company.
Youths have told gardai they were drinking beer and spirits during the evening.
The sources said there were other violent incidents during the evening and several youths at the disco were acting aggressively.
Meanwhile, detectives involved in the murder inquiry into the death of Co Dublin girl Raonaid Murray a year ago today, are still hoping for information that might lead to the apprehension of her murderer.
Ms Murray, who was 17, was stabbed to death as she walked to her home in Silchester Park in Glenageary after leaving Paparazzis disco in the centre of Dun Laoghaire on September 4 last.