Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury convicts man of murdering homeless friend

Date
2020-10-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Oldtown

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court case, a jury found Sebastian Barczuk, aged 32, guilty of murdering his former flatmate Michal Kurek, aged 33, who was homeless and had addiction difficulties. Kurek was discovered on 4 August 2017 in a country lane in Ballyboughal, north County Dublin, with 62 stab wounds, including 25 to the back. Evidence included a Nokia 105 phone found in Kurek's jeans, still powered on, and DNA from the phone that matched Barczuk. Cell‑site data showed both phones connected to a site near Ballyboughal at the time of the discovery. CCTV footage of a blue Fiat Punto, sold by Barczuk to a woman on 2 August, was also presented. The jury deliberated nearly 13 hours over four days and returned a majority verdict of 11‑1. Barczuk was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the judge reserving the sentencing date for 2 November. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury convicts man of murdering homeless friend. Charges or matters: murdering his homeless friend Michal Kurek (33) at a place unknown within the State between August 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 3 Incident
August 4 Incident
August 2, 2017 Other
November 2 Adjournment
August 9 Other
August 13, 2017 Other
August 13 Other
August 20, 2017 Other
April 4, 2018 Incident
2020-10-08 Publication

Why: It was the defence's contention that the prosecution was unable to point to a motive between the accused man and deceased, which they described as one of the biggest mysteries in the case as both were "like brothers" to each other. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Sebastian Barczuk

Accused

Charges: murdering his homeless friend Michal Kurek (33) at a place unknown within the State between August 3 and 4, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Hunt will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on November 2 and remanded Barczuk in custody until that date.; Mr Justice Hunt will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on November 2 and remanded Barczuk in custody until that date.