Court sketch: Within seconds of the Court of Criminal Appeal setting aside Dermot Laide's manslaughter conviction and Desmond Ryan's conviction for violent disorder, Brian Murphy's parents, Denis and Mary, had left the court without pausing to make any comment to waiting journalists. So sudden was their departure that only those members of the media who had failed to get into the packed courtroom, presided over by Mr Justice McCracken, saw them leave.
Mr and Ms Murphy have made several public comments in their quest to bring their son's killers to justice. But yesterday, immediately following the court's ruling, they were clearly in no mood for conversation. Behind them the scene was somewhat different.
As the two men before the court sat on benches listening to the verdicts being handed down they stared blankly ahead. Outside the court their subdued demeanour melted away as they were showered with congratulatory handshakes, kisses and hugs from their large group of family and friends. Most of this group lingered in the corridors anxious to share in the men's relief at the ruling. Dermot Laide's father, Brian, had just heard the court set aside his son's manslaughter conviction and halved his prison term from four years to two. He did what most fathers would do under those circumstances and cried.
Before he was taken to the holding cells and being whisked back to the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, to serve the remainder of his two-year sentence for violent disorder, Dermot Laide was given some time with his family and supporters, which included Father Aidan Troy.
Sitting on a bench in an alcove in the corridor off the Four Courts round hall, he sat flicking through a copy of the 51-page judgment. His sister sat beside him, and both allowed themselves small smiles as they chatted. Other well-wishers followed, including a group of around six young men of his own age.
He was finally joined and comforted by his girlfriend, Cecilia, who has been at his side during his many court appearances of the last 12 months. The pair sat for a while, at times kissing, apparently oblivious to the prison officer chained to Laide's right arm.
After around 20 minutes Laide was taken from the courthouse and into the cold morning rain. Journalists' microphones where thrust in his direction as he was brought to the holding cells. He had nothing to say and kept his eyes fixed on the ground as photographers' flashes and the lights from television cameras illuminated the scene.
Back inside, Desmond Ryan's father smiled and shook hands with some of his son's legal team. Ryan himself looked relieved and was hugged by a smiling female companion.
The verdict setting aside his conviction and not directing a retrial means he is cleared of any part in the events which cost Brian Murphy his life.
When he was first convicted along with his co-accused - Laide and Seán Mackey - and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment last March, Ryan was granted a request that his prison term not start until after he finished his university exams. Upon lodging his appeal the court agreed that the prison sentence would not start until after the appeal.
It means Mr Ryan has never spent a day in prison. Now that he faces no further charges he will never join his former Blackrock College schoolmates in prison.
