Przemyslaw Trebacz found guilty of Cavan murder

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

Przemyslaw Trebacz was found guilty of murdering Costel Catalin Cretu at the Central Criminal Court, after a 10-2 majority verdict. The proceedings were reported on 19 December 2013.

Trebacz had pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to criminal damage to a door belonging to Brendan Cosgrove at Connolly Court, Connolly Street, Cavan. The murder occurred between 13 and 14 October 2012, while the criminal damage occurred on 13 October 2012.

The report said Trebacz will be sentenced to life in prison. Mr Justice Barry White adjourned sentencing until 20 January, when a victim impact statement was due to be read to the court.

The prosecution case was that Trebacz went to the apartment to carry out a robbery and brought a weapon. Trebacz denied bringing a knife, said he was visiting prostitutes with another man, and told gardaí he acted in self-defence after kicking in the door and struggling with Cretu before stabbing him.

He also denied stealing money from one of the prostitutes. Defence counsel raised provocation and self-defence during the trial, which had started on 28 November.