Courts / Galway / Report

Life imprisonment for man who murdered "hard worker who came to Ireland for a better life"

Date
2017-04-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Glenamaddy

County
Galway

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 31‑year‑old Latvian man, Andrejs Krauze, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 30‑year‑old brother, Juris Buls, who was strangled in July 2011 in Galway. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, found Krauze guilty of murder. The prosecution argued that Krauze killed Buls after the victim refused to withdraw an assault complaint. Victim impact statements were read by the court, detailing Buls's role as a hardworking family provider who had moved to Ireland for better opportunities. The judge, Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan, imposed the mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to January 2016. The case highlighted the discovery of Buls's body in a drain and the subsequent investigation that led to Krauze's arrest and extradition. The sentencing was conducted without the presence of Buls's relatives, who were unable to attend in Ireland. Andrejs Krauze pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Life imprisonment for man who murdered "hard worker who came to Ireland for a better life". Charges or matters: murdering Juris Buls at an unknown time on July 7 or 8, 2011 in the county of Galway; manslaughter in relation to Mr Buls's death in July 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 7 Incident
March 29 Other
June 2011 Other
July 10 Other
January 13, 2016 Other
July 9 Other
July 23 Other
July 2013 Other
March 2012 Incident
2017-04-26 Publication

Case subjects

Andrejs Krauze

Defendant

Charges: murdering Juris Buls at an unknown time on July 7 or 8, 2011 in the county of Galway; manslaughter in relation to Mr Buls's death in July 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan then sentenced Krauze to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.