Courts / Cavan / Report

Accused told gardai stabbing was self-defence

Date
2013-12-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cavan

County
Cavan

Summary

The Central Criminal Court has heard evidence in the trial of Przemyslaw Trebacz, a Polish national accused of the murder of Costel Catalin Cretu (38) at Connolly Court, Cavan, between October 13 and 14, 2012. Mr 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 location on October 13, 2012. During a garda interview, the accused admitted stabbing Mr Cretu but alleged he was acting in self-defence, claiming the deceased attacked him with a knife. He stated that Mr Cretu was still standing when he left the apartment and denied bringing a knife to the scene. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that the deceased sustained two stab wounds, one fatal to the chest and one shallow to the back, noting the injuries could have been caused by a large knife. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused told gardai stabbing was self-defence. Charges or matters: the murder of 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 Hearing Or Sentence
October 13, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
December 3 Hearing Or Sentence
2013-12-10 Publication

Why: He told gardai that he and two other men drank a bottle of vodka that night and he and his friend decided to go to visit prostitutes because his partner had gone to bed. CNI source report

Case subjects

Przemyslaw Trebacz

Accused

Charges: the murder of 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