Courts / Roscommon / Report

Athlone murder trial jury to resume deliberations

Date
2016-04-21
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Roscommon
County
Roscommon

Summary

The jury in the trial of two men accused of murdering a 23-year-old man at the Central Criminal Court will resume deliberations on Friday morning. Leszek Sychulec, aged 34, of Drinan, Ballymahon, County Longford, and Andrzej Gruchacz, aged 35, with an address in Warsaw, Poland, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patryk Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, County Roscommon, on 20 June 2014. The court heard that Mr Krupa drowned in the Shannon River following a violent assault that left him unconscious. The prosecution alleges both men transported the deceased to the riverbank, assaulted him, and threw him into the water. The defence has contended that alternative verdicts of manslaughter or assault may be appropriate depending on the evidence of intent. Mr Justice Tony Hunt instructed the jury that they could return alternative verdicts on these lesser charges. The twelve-member jury deliberated for one hour and forty-nine minutes before adjourning for the night.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Athlone murder trial jury to resume deliberations. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: He explained that they could reach a manslaughter verdict if they thought there was no intention to kill or cause serious injury, while they also had the choice of convicting of assault causing harm or serious harm instead. CNI source report

Case subjects

Andrzej Gruchacz

Accused

Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Leszek Sychulec

Accused

Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request