Courts / Clare / Report

Cage fighter convicted of Shannon murder gets hearing date for miscarriage of justice application

Date
2026-07-03
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Shannon
County
Clare

Summary

The Court of Appeal has set a date in December to hear an application by a Polish cage fighter who is seeking to have his conviction for the murder of a 23-year-old man who was beaten unconscious and left to drown in the River Shannon declared a miscarriage of justice. Leszek Sychulec's legal team told the court today that they had written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) seeking disclosure regarding an article published about a garda allegedly involved in organised crime who is connected to the case. Sychulec, now in his 40s, and his co-accused, Andrzej Gruchacz, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Patryk Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon on June 20th, 2014. Mr Krupa drowned in the Shannon outside Athlone while incapacitated with a head injury from a violent assault. A Central Criminal Court jury deliberated for five hours before reaching unanimous guilty verdicts. The defendants were accordingly given mandatory life sentences by Mr Justice Tony Hunt on June 13, 2016.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cage fighter convicted of Shannon murder gets hearing date for miscarriage of justice application. Charges or matters: murdering Patryk Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon on June 20th, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Andrzej Gruchacz

Co Accused

Charges: murdering Patryk Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon on June 20th, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: The defendants were accordingly given mandatory life sentences by Mr Justice Tony Hunt on June 13, 2016.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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