Death of Brian Murphy
unlawful killing of an Irish student in 2000
In the early hours of 31 August 2000, Brian Murphy, an 18-year-old student, was attacked by a large group of young men outside the Club Anabel nightclub at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. He died shortly after the attack. The subsequent investigations drew great media interest, with the incident commonly referred to as the Club Anabel case.
Four men were charged with manslaughter and violent disorder regarding the death, which went to criminal trial in 2004: one was found not guilty on all charges; two were found guilty of violent disorder (although one of the two convictions was overturned on appeal); and one was found guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder, with the manslaughter conviction overturned on appeal in 2005. No other individuals were ever charged. A coroner's court inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing in 2007.
Early life
Brian Murphy was born in Dublin, Ireland, to Denis and Mary Murphy and lived in Clonskeagh. In the summer of 2000 he had completed his Leaving Certificate exams and had a part-time job at the Brown Thomas department store; he had previously attended St Conleth's College, Gonzaga College and Bruce College (a grinds school).
Death
On 30 August 2000, Murphy visited The Sports Bar at University College Dublin (UCD), with a friend, Matthew Moran, before they both travelled by bus to Leeson Street to spend the evening at Club Anabel in the nearby Burlington Hotel, where a friend who worked as a barman had promised them swift entry. A "students' night" was in progress with special drinks promotions.
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