Courts / Mayo / Report

Murder accused told gardai he stabbed man 'in own defence'

Date
2023-03-20

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Swinford

County
Mayo

Summary

A 33-year-old Polish man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a 24-year-old at Carrabeg Estate in Swinford, Co Mayo on 16 November 2020. The Central Criminal Court heard that Matusz Batiuk told gardai he stabbed the deceased in self-defence after believing his life was in danger. The prosecution contends that when Mr Batiuk retrieved a kitchen knife and inflicted a single stab wound to the abdomen, he acted with intent to kill. Evidence will include recordings of emergency calls made by the accused on the night in question and garda interviews. The court heard the deceased was intoxicated at the time and that there were no defensive wounds on his body. Expert psychiatric evidence concerning the accused's diagnosed schizophrenia will be heard. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring is presiding over the trial with a jury of nine men and three women. The case is expected to last two weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he stabbed man 'in own defence'. Charges or matters: murdering Michael McDonagh (24) at the housing estate in Swinford on November 16, 2020. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 16, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-03-20 Publication

Why: The lawyer explained that the State's case would be that this was an unlawful killing which was murder and that Mr McDonagh's death was not caused accidentally and not in legitimate self-defence. Defence account reported by CNI