Courts / Westmeath / Report
Cage fighter jailed for life for "shocking" murder of man left to drown in Shannon
Summary
A cage fighter and another man have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 23-year-old man who was beaten unconscious and left to drown in the River Shannon near Athlone in June 2014. Leszek Sychulec, aged 34, with an address at Drinan, Ballymahon, County Longford, and Andrzej Gruchacz, aged 35, were convicted by jury at the Central Criminal Court following a five-hour deliberation in April 2016. The court heard that Patryk Krupa was assaulted following an encounter in Athlone town before being driven away by the accused men. His body was discovered face down in the water by associates who became concerned for his welfare. A State pathologist concluded that Krupa died from a combination of severe head trauma and drowning while unconscious. Justice Tony Hunt described the offence as shocking and violent, commending the investigative work of gardaí at Athlone. Concurrent sentences for false imprisonment were also imposed on both men. Sychulec has previous convictions for drugs offences, extortion and robbery. Leszek Sychulec pleaded not guilty. Andrzej Gruchacz pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cage fighter jailed for life for "shocking" murder of man left to drown in Shannon. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 20, 2014 Incident
- April 21 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 20 2014 Incident
- February 2015 Incident
- 2016-06-13 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He then imposed a seven year concurrent sentence on Sychulec for false imprisonment as well as a five year concurrent sentence on Gruchacz for false imprisonment.
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: HANDING DOWN SENTENCE: Defence counsel, Sean Gillane SC, told the court that his client, Mr Sychulec, is a Polish national with limited English and is a parent of a two-year-old child. He then imposed a seven year concurrent sentence on Sychulec for false imprisonment as well as a five year concurrent sentence on Gruchacz for false imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- of gardai at Athlone Garda Station
- Athlone
- Aidan Minnock of Athlone Garda Station
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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