Courts / Cavan / Report
Conviction for murdering prostitute's guardian upheld
Summary
A man convicted of murdering a guardian at a brothel in Cavan seven years ago has had his appeal against conviction dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Przemyslaw Trebacz, a Polish national formerly of Bramble Rise, Killynebber, Co Cavan, was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2014 following his conviction for the murder of Costel Catalin Cretu at Connolly Court, Cavan in October 2012. Trebacz had pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted criminal damage. The Central Criminal Court jury returned a majority guilty verdict after hearing evidence that Mr Cretu was fatally stabbed twice. The appeal challenged the reliability of witness testimony, particularly regarding the layout of the apartment and what could have been observed. The Court of Appeal found no inadequacy in the trial judge's conduct or evidence summary, and determined the verdict was safe. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy stated there was no reason to believe the trial was unsatisfactory.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Conviction for murdering prostitute's guardian upheld. Charges or matters: the murder of Costel Catalin Cretu (38) at Connolly Court, Connolly Street, Cavan between October 13 and 14, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 13, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 17, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-02-21 Publication
Why: A submission was made on the layout of the apartment, on the basis that Ms Sotir could not have seen the stabbing as described by her because of where she was located at the time. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Costel Catalin Cretu (38) at Connolly Court, Connolly Street, Cavan between October 13 and 14, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Trebacz was accordingly given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Barry White on February 17, 2014.
Places mentioned
- Connolly Street
- The Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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