Courts / Donegal / Report

Murder accused freed after three years in custody

Summary

A Polish man has been released from custody at the Central Criminal Court after three years in detention. Justice Patrick McCarthy directed the jury to acquit Dariusz Weckowicz (51) of the murder of Bogdan Michalkiewicz (41) at Westside Apartments, Letterkenny, County Donegal on 13 May 2013, ruling the prosecution evidence insufficient to place him before a jury. Mr Weckowicz had pleaded not guilty to the charge. Separately, Krzysztof Grzegorski (22) remains on trial for the same murder. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the prosecution rejected. The court has heard evidence regarding the circumstances of the death, including multiple injuries sustained by the deceased. Justice McCarthy has instructed the jury on the legal burden of proof, emphasising that intention formed while intoxicated constitutes the same basis for conviction as intention formed while sober. The jury will begin deliberations on Monday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused freed after three years in custody. Charges or matters: the murder of Bogdan Michalkiewicz (41), at Westside Apartments, Letterkenny, Co Donegal on My 13, 2013; murder but guilty to manslaughter; being drunk in public and a danger to himself and others. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2016-06-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report