Courts / Ireland / Report

Jury shown lump hammer

Summary

In a 2014 trial, 42‑year‑old Andrzej Benko of Mulhuddert pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder charge against his wife, Joanna Benko, on her birthday. He claimed he feared their toddler would die after discovering the wife's drugs, citing 100 ecstasy tablets found in the house. Benko said he rang Garda that morning, stating he had hit her over the head with a lump hammer. The jury was shown the hammer, which had blood matching Mrs Benko's DNA, and a photograph of 10 red roses he had bought for her. Garda Patrick Traynor presented interviews where Benko alleged his wife had been drug‑using, spending all his money, and had left him twice with their child. He said he considered killing her to protect their son and to end his "hell." The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of two women and ten men.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury shown lump hammer. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Joanna Benko at that address on July 5, 2010. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 5, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2014-03-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report