Courts / Cavan / Report

Man jailed for life for murder of man who was guarding prostitutes

Date
2014-02-17
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Cavan
County
Cavan

Summary

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction for murder in County Cavan. Przemyslaw Trebacz, aged 35, was found guilty of murdering Costel Catalin Cretu at Connolly Court, Cavan between October 13 and 14, 2012. The jury returned a majority verdict of 10-2 after deliberations. Mr Cretu sustained stab wounds to the chest and back and died at the scene. Trebacz had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge but guilty to criminal damage. Mr Justice Michael White imposed the mandatory life sentence, noting the significant impact of the death on the victim's family. A three-year sentence relating to the criminal damage conviction was suspended. The judge referenced a victim impact statement provided by the deceased's brother during sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man jailed for life for murder of man who was guarding prostitutes. 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: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Przemyslaw Trebacz

Defendant

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

Outcome: Mr Justice Michael White sentenced Trebacz to life imprisonment saying that the effect the death has had on the family of the victim is something Trebacz might reflect on. "You have been convicted of the offence of murder," said Mr Justice White. "The law prescribes that I must impose a sentence of life on you now in respect of the offence of murder.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
Address Area
  • Connolly Street
Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report

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