THE ACCUSED; Four posh college students charged with killing teen after row outside nightclub.

Byline: KEN FOXE

THESE four young men, all former students of one Ireland's top schools, appeared in court yesterday accused of killing teenager Brian Murphy.

They were pupils at Dublin's posh fee-paying Blackrock College at the time of his death outside a city centre nightclub.

The four, all aged 20, appeared at Bridewell District Court charged on two counts, one of manslaughter and the other of violent disorder.

Sean Mackey, Dermot Laide, Desmond Ryan and Andrew Frame are currently studying in third-level colleges across Dublin.

Mr Murphy, 18, died allegedly after being attacked outside Anabel's nightclub at the Burlington Hotel in the city.

At the time of his death, last August 31, the four were sixth-form students at pounds 2,000-a-year Blackrock College.

The accused arrived at the court yesterday in a Garda escort van.

Mr Murphy's parents, Dennis and Mary, along with his two sisters, attended the court hearing.

The men had earlier beencharged by Donnybrook Gardai after arranging a a meeting with detectives.

At Bridewell court they were taken to the holding cells from which they climbed the steps into the court.

They stood in a line in front of Judge Murrough Connellan.

Around them were repeat offenders and drug addicts.

Laide, who lives in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, was the first to appear.

The court heard how, when charged, he said "not guilty".

The baby-faced student, wearing glasses and a jumper, barely spoke while in the courtroom.

Det Sgt John Keane, of Donnybrook Garda station, said he would not object to bail if certain conditions were met. Laide, who had given himself up voluntarily yesterday morning, was going to a course at a Dublin college, his solicitor said. Gardai said he appeared to have several addresses in both the city and Monaghan.

Laide was granted bail on condition he signs on at Donnybrook Garda station every week and surrenders his passport.

He was told that if he wanted to travel abroad he would have to make arrangements with Gardai.

Laide, who was also told not to interfere with witnesses, spoke only once during the 20-minute hearing to say he wanted Donal Spring, brother of TD Dick, as his solicitor.

The second to appear was Ryan, who is from Cunningham Road, Dalkey, Dublin.

When charged with the two counts, he said "no" to both, the court was told.

Wearing a black jacket, yellow slacks and matching shirt, he was led from court.

He has to sign on every week at Dalkey Garda station as part of his bail conditions.

Ryan must also notify Gardai of any change of address, not interfere with witnesses, and pay a substantial bail surety.

The court was told by Det Insp Declan Fogarty that Frame, dressed in a rugby blazer and white slacks, had replied "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Bail was granted on the same conditions as for Laide and Ryan.

Frame, from Nutley Lane, just yards from the RTE television studios in Donnybrook, Dublin, must now sign on at the nearby Garda station every week.

The last to appear was Mackey, dressed in a blue suit, blue shirt and check tie.

He too was charged after turning up for his appointment with Gardai.

When the charges were read out to him he said "no" to both.

From South Park in Foxrock, he must sign on at Cabinteely Garda station every week.

Stony-faced throughout, bail was granted to him on similar conditions as the others.

Each of the men had to post bail of pounds 300 plus arrange an independent surety of pounds 3,000.

All four were told that they would have to appear again at the same court next week.

CAPTION(S):

COURT: Andrew Frame was bailed; DENIAL: Accused Dermot LaideBAILED: Student Desmond Ryan; ORDER: Sean Mackey was charged; PARENTS: Dennis and Mary Murphy's son Brian died outside Anabel's nightclub