Courts / Dublin / Report

Man apologises to wife for attempting to murder her

Date
2014-04-07

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

A man has apologised to his wife for attempting to murder her by hitting her over her head with a hammer on her birthday while she slept. Andrzej Benko (42) of Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddart had admitted hitting Joanna Benko's head with a lump hammer at least three times. However, he had pleaded not guilty to her attempted murder at that address on July 5, 2010. Last month, the jury took under three hours to reach a unanimous verdict of guilty. Mrs Benko is confined to a wheelchair most of the time as a result of her injuries, the Central Criminal Court heard. Now 35, she also has communication difficulties, will depend on full-time care for the rest of her life and is no longer able to look after her son. Today Benko wept while he addressed the court to apologise to his wife and her family who were present for the hearing. A recording of the emergency call was played in court. "The problem is that probably I killed my wife and now I'm on my way to you to be jailed," he said. "Ring an ambulance. Her brother said he was "completely distraught" when he heard what happened to her and said his life had been "turned upside down." Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded Benko in custody and will hand down sentence on Friday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man apologises to wife for attempting to murder her. Charges or matters: her attempted murder at that address on July 5, 2010. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 5, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
2014-04-07 Publication

Why: Maybe you can save her because I hit her by hammer in head. CNI source report

Case subjects

Andrzej Benko

Defendant

Charges: her attempted murder at that address on July 5, 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: A recording of the emergency call was played in court. "The problem is that probably I killed my wife and now I'm on my way to you to be jailed," he said. "Ring an ambulance. Her brother said he was "completely distraught" when he heard what happened to her and said his life had been "turned upside down." Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded Benko in custody and will hand down sentence on Friday.; Her brother said he was "completely distraught" when he heard what happened to her and said his life had been "turned upside down." Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded Benko in custody and will hand down sentence on Friday.