Courts / Dublin / Report

Murderer who stabbed former flatmate 62 times fails in bid to overturn conviction

Summary

The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal of 36‑year‑old Polish national Sebastian Barczuk, who was convicted of murdering his former flatmate Michal Kurek, a homeless man, by stabbing him 62 times in August 2017. Barczuk had argued that mobile phone data used at his trial was unlawfully obtained by Gardaí. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath held that the Gardaí complied with the Communications (Protection of Data) Act 2011 and that the phone data was admissible. He also rejected the claim that the trial judge should have discharged the jury because the phone data was not properly proved, finding no gap in the evidence that would justify such a discharge. The Court therefore dismissed the appeal, leaving Barczuk's conviction and mandatory life sentence in place. The case remains at the Court of Appeal stage. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer who stabbed former flatmate 62 times fails in bid to overturn conviction. Charges or matters: murdering his homeless friend Mr Kurek at a place unknown within the State between August 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• August 3 Other
• August 4th Other
• 2024-12-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report