Court told kick to Swede who died 'unbelievable'

The trial continued yesterday of nine people charged in connection with a fracas preceding the death of a Swedish street vendor…

The trial continued yesterday of nine people charged in connection with a fracas preceding the death of a Swedish street vendor in New Ross, Co Wexford, in July 2003.

Mr Lars Forsmark died following a disturbance in Wickham's pub.

During the fifth day of the trial, witness Mr John Murphy told the jury he saw one of the accused, Mr Anthony O'Leary, "kicking one of the strangers" in the pub that night.

Mr Murphy agreed that his initial statement to the gardaí following the row - in which he described Mr O'Leary's kick as "unbelievable" - was correct. With regard to the row that broke out, Mr Murphy said it was "hard to pinpoint who started it but a lot of people were involved".

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He said he saw a man lying on the ground but could not confirm whether this was the same man he allegedly saw Mr O'Leary kick.

However, he confirmed that when the man in question "hit the ground", he didn't see him move thereafter.

Ms Alice Murphy, in evidence, described some of the people on the premises the night of the row as "buttnecks".

When asked about the behaviour of the group of men with Mr Forsmark - two English men and a Tunisian - Ms Murphy replied: "They were messing among themselves."

She said Ms Noeleen Wickham, of Wickham's pub, tried to stop the fight. Ms Murphy confirmed she overheard Ms Wickham telling people to say the fight happened outside the premises.

The trial continues this morning.