Courts / Sligo / Report

Wife told husband to 'never set foot' in home again, murder trial hears

Date
2021-05-12

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Sligo

County
Sligo

Summary

At the Central Criminal Court, a jury has heard evidence of exchanges between Natalia and Rafal Karaczyn in the months before her death. Text messages and Facebook communications were presented showing Ms Karaczyn repeatedly rejecting her husband's attempts at reconciliation, telling him to leave her life and forbidding him from entering their Crozon Park home in Ballymote, Sligo. Two days before her death, she stated he could "never set foot" in the house again. Detective Sergeant Oliver McHale testified about these communications. Rafal Karaczyn, aged 35, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He admits unlawfully killing his wife by strangling her at their family home between 29 April and 1 May 2018. During garda interview at Ballymote station, he denied causing her death and described an alleged threat from unknown individuals. The trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wife told husband to 'never set foot' in home again, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his wife Natalia at their family home in Crozon Park between April 29th, 2018 and May 1st, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

April 14 Other
April 27 Other
April 29th, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
May 1st, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2021-05-12 Publication

Why: She suggested that he check himself into a psychiatric ward and told him: "Stop feeling sorry for yourself because it's sad. CNI source report

Case subjects

Rafal Karaczyn

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his wife Natalia at their family home in Crozon Park between April 29th, 2018 and May 1st, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty