Courts / Westmeath / Report
Cage Fighter found guilty of beating man and leaving him to drown in Shannon
Summary
At the Central Criminal Court, a cage fighter and a second man have been convicted of murdering a 23-year-old Polish national in June 2014. Leszek Sychulec, aged 34 and resident at Drinan, Ballymahon, County Longford, and Andrzej Gruchacz, aged 35 from Warsaw, Poland, were found guilty of killing Patryk Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, County Roscommon. The trial heard that Mr Krupa was assaulted and rendered unconscious before being left to drown in the River Shannon. Evidence presented included witness testimony, DNA findings on Sychulec's belongings, photographic documentation of drag marks leading to the water, and CCTV footage placing both men together at the scene. The jury deliberated for five hours before delivering unanimous guilty verdicts. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13th, when both defendants will receive mandatory life sentences. Leszek Sychulec pleaded not guilty. Andrzej Gruchacz pleaded not guilty. Cage Fighter pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cage Fighter found guilty of beating man and leaving him to drown in Shannon. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 20th, 2014 Incident
- June 13th Adjournment
- 2016-04-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Justice Hunt thanked them for their 'excellent' work and adjourned sentencing until June 13th when each man will receive the mandatory life sentence for murder.
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Justice Hunt thanked them for their 'excellent' work and adjourned sentencing until June 13th when each man will receive the mandatory life sentence for murder.
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Justice Hunt thanked them for their 'excellent' work and adjourned sentencing until June 13th when each man will receive the mandatory life sentence for murder.
Places mentioned
- Co Roscommon. The Central Criminal Court
- Church Street
Topics
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