A 16-year-old Laois teenager who allegedly beat a friend to death with a hammer in a row over a mobile phone has pleaded not guilty to his murder.
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murdering Daragh Conroy (14) of Briar Lane, Mountmellick, Co. Laois.
Mr Conroy's body was found on waste ground in an area known as Smith's field on the town's outskirts on November 11th, 2003.
In his opening speech at the Central Criminal Court, prosecuting counsel, Mr Anthony Sammon, SC, alleged that the accused, who was aged 15 at the time of the alleged murder, inflicted the fatal injuries to Mr Conroy.
The deceased, he said, "sustained traumatic force to his head especially to the rear of the head".
Mr Sammon said the deceased was hit over the head with a hammer by the accused, who wanted his mobile phone.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White.
