Courts / Dublin / Report

Accused told gardai he hadn't been to murder scene

Date
2020-09-29

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, Sebastian Barczuk, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his homeless friend Michael Kurek, aged 33, who was found with 62 stab wounds in Ballyboughal on 4 August 2017. The jury heard that Barczuk's phone connected to a Ballyboughal cell site at 00:53, one minute after Kurek's phone did so at 00:52. DNA from a Nokia 105 phone recovered from Kurek's jeans matched Barczuk's profile in a mixed sample, with a lower amount of DNA belonging to Barczuk. Barczuk denied travelling to Ballyboughal, stabbing Kurek, or being present at the scene, stating "I haven't been there" and "I'm innocent." Gardaí presented CCTV of a blue Fiat Punto, allegedly owned by Barczuk, moving through the area, and testimony that the vehicle was sold to him by Ms Ewa Raczka two days before the body was found. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused told gardai he hadn't been to murder scene. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Kurek (33) over three years ago; murdering the Polish national at a place unknown within the State between August 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 3 Other
August 4 Other
April 5, 2018 Other
August 2, 2017 Other
2020-09-29 Publication

Why: The accused told detectives that he did not know if Mr Kurek was killed in the car and he had got rid of the Fiat Punto because he did not need it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Sebastian Barczuk

Accused

Charges: murdering Mr Kurek (33) over three years ago; murdering the Polish national at a place unknown within the State between August 3 and 4, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty