Courts / Cavan / Report
Murder accused used phrase 'Soviet attack', court hears
Summary
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Przemyslaw Trebacz, a Polish national accused of murdering Romanian Costel Catalin Cretu (38) at Connolly Court, Cavan, between October 13 and 14, 2012. Trebacz has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge but pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a door belonging to Brendan Cosgrove at the same address on October 13, 2012. Prosecution witness Gary Malone, a taxi driver and former neighbour of the accused, testified that he was called by Trebacz at approximately 11:00 PM on the night in question. Malone stated that Trebacz and another man entered his vehicle, with Trebacz sitting in the passenger seat. During the journey, Malone heard Trebacz use the phrase 'Soviet attack' and observed him holding a green woolly sock containing a solid object. Malone reported seeing Trebacz kick in a door at Connolly Court before the men left the scene. He further testified that the other man threatened him, stating, 'shut up or you and your family will be next.' Malone subsequently reported the incident to gardai. The court heard that Trebacz had previously mentioned the IRA to Malone. Malone's evidence is ongoing, and the matter remains at the trial stage with no final verdict or sentence recorded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused used phrase 'Soviet attack', court hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Romanian Costel Catalin Cretu (38) at Connolly Court, Connolly Street, Cavan between October 13 and 14, 2012; criminal damage to a door belonging to Brendan Cosgrove at Connolly Court on October 13, 2012. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 13 Incident
- October 13, 2012 Incident
- 2013-12-05 Publication
Why: Taxi driver Gary Malone told Mr Patrick McGrath SC prosecuting that he knew the accused at the time of the incident because he was his neighbour at Bramble Rise for six months previous and knew him as 'Shermek'. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Romanian Costel Catalin Cretu (38) at Connolly Court, Connolly Street, Cavan between October 13 and 14, 2012; criminal damage to a door belonging to Brendan Cosgrove at Connolly Court on October 13, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Connolly Street
- Central Criminal Court
- White house
Topics
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