Dariusz Weckowicz pleaded not guilty to murder

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Dariusz Weckowicz has pleaded not guilty to murder. His co-accused Krzystof Grzegorski has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea. The proceedings were reported on 20 June 2016.

Both men were accused at the Central Criminal Court of murdering Bogdan Michalkiewicz, 41, who was found beaten to death at his home in Westside Apartments, Letterkenny, County Donegal, on 13 May 2013.

Adam Kycwaik told prosecuting counsel Alex Owens SC that he was in Poland when his friend died. After returning a few days later, he met Dariusz Weckowicz and asked what had happened. He said Dariusz Weckowicz admitted being present but said he was too drunk to help Bogdan Michalkiewicz.

Answering defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC, Adam Kycwaik said Dariusz Weckowicz eventually indicated that Krzystof Grzegorski had also been present. He said Dariusz Weckowicz swore on his knees that he had not touched Bogdan Michalkiewicz.

Adam Kycwaik also agreed with Brendan Grehan SC that he had told gardai in May 2013 that Dariusz Weckowicz would not have been able to kill Bogdan Michalkiewicz because he was too weak. He described this as “obvious” and said he was satisfied with the answers Dariusz Weckowicz had given him.

The report said the trial would continue on 20 June 2016 before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of eight men and four women.