Courts / Dublin / Report

Homeless man found face down with 60 stab wounds, murder trial told

Date
2020-09-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a murder trial, the State presented a circumstantial case against Sebastian Barczuk, 32, for the death of Polish national Michal Kurek, 33, found on 4 August 2017 in Ballyboughal, north County Dublin. Kurek's body lay face‑down in a country lane with over 60 stab wounds and blunt‑force trauma to the head. The prosecution argued that the victim was murdered and that Barczuk was the perpetrator, citing their long‑standing friendship and shared addresses. Evidence included mobile‑phone records showing limited contact between the men on the day of the murder, a Nokia phone found in Kurek's pocket, and witness testimony from a cyclist who first spotted the body. The case relied on technical and circumstantial evidence, with no CCTV footage or recovered weapon, and the trial was set to continue before a jury and Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless man found face down with 60 stab wounds, murder trial told. Charges or matters: murdering Polish national Michal Kurek (33) at a place unknown within the State between August 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 3 Other
August 4, 2017 Other
August 4 Other
2020-09-15 Publication

Why: Mr Staines explained that mobile phone technology works by way of cell sites and phones ping off these masts through which the technology is routed. CNI source report