Courts / Clare / Report

Alcoholic jailed for life for murder of Polish man who came to Ireland "for better life"

Date
2014-10-31

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ennis

County
Clare

Summary

Michael Maughan, 40, was found guilty of murder and assault in Ennis, County Clare, after stabbing Piotr Nowakowski, 31, twice and striking him again in the head. The jury, after a two‑hour and 23‑minute trial, returned a unanimous verdict. Mr. Maughan had pleaded not guilty to both charges, but the prosecution rejected his manslaughter plea. Mr. Maughan, who had a history of alcohol‑related offences, claimed he was out of control and had no memory of the motive. Mr. Nowakowski was a Polish immigrant who had come to Ireland for a better life. Mr. Maughan was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment for the murder, concurrent with a four‑year sentence for the assault, both back‑dated to 24 July 2013 for time already spent in custody. The court heard that Mr. Maughan had 68 prior convictions dating back to 1991, including public order, burglary and theft.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alcoholic jailed for life for murder of Polish man who came to Ireland "for better life". Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Piotr Nowakowski (31) at Sandfield Mews, Ennis on July 23, 2013; assaulting Declan O'Dea at the same address on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 23, 2013 Incident
July 24, 2013 Incident
2014-10-31 Publication

Case subjects

Michael Maughan

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Piotr Nowakowski (31) at Sandfield Mews, Ennis on July 23, 2013; assaulting Declan O'Dea at the same address on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Carney handed down the mandatory life sentence for the murder to run concurrently with four years for the assault on Mr O'Dea.