Deceased's DNA found on murder accused's belongings, trial hears

The Central Criminal Court has heard DNA evidence linking a deceased man to items seized from one of two men on trial for his murder. Patryk Krupa, aged 23, drowned in the River Shannon on 20 June 2014 following an alleged violent assault in Athlone, County Roscommon. DNA profiler Dr Stephen Clifford testified that genetic material matching the deceased was recovered from a bloodstained watch and sock belonging to Leszek Sychulec, aged 34, of Drinan, Ballymahon, County Longford. The scientist stated the probability of the DNA originating from another person was less than one in a billion for the watch sample and less than one in 11 million for the sock. DNA matching Mr Krupa was also found on a black BMW, the court heard. Sychulec and Andrzej Gruchacz, aged 35, with an address in Warsaw, Poland, have each pleaded not guilty to murder and false imprisonment. The prosecution alleges both men forcibly removed Mr Krupa and left him incapacitated in the river. The trial continues.