Ireland Judge adjourns Leitrim murder case at Ballyshannon Courthouse
On 11 June 2026, Janis Balodis (41), originally from Latvia, was found unresponsive at a house in the Arderry area of Corrawaleen, Co. Leitrim, in an incident shortly after 9pm, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Bartosz Cylka (36), a Polish national of Arderry, Corrawaleen, was arrested and charged with his murder, which is an allegation. On 28 July 2026 he appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court and was remanded in custody, and his solicitor later withdrew amid a solicitors' dispute over legal aid fees. Most recently, on 19 August 2026, he appeared from custody before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting in Ballyshannon, and the case was adjourned to 15 September at Carrick-on-Shannon.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court28 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Janis Balodis (41), originally from Latvia, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
- Bartosz Cylka (36), of Arderry, Corrawaleen, is described in the reports as a Polish national.
- Where
- The incident took place at a house in the Arderry area of Corrawaleen, Co. Leitrim.
- When
- The incident happened shortly after 9pm on 11 June 2026.
- Charges
- Cylka was arrested and later charged with the murder of Janis Balodis.
- Investigation
- The Garda file was described in court as at an advanced stage of preparation, with no directions given.
- In court
- On 28 July 2026 Cylka appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court and was remanded in custody.
- On 19 August 2026 he appeared by video link from custody before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court.
- The case was adjourned to 15 September 2026 at Carrick-on-Shannon.
- Other details
- His solicitor withdrew because of an ongoing solicitors' strike, which reports link to a dispute with the Minister for Justice over criminal legal aid fee reform.
- A Polish interpreter was provided during the proceedings.
- Cylka has remained in custody since being charged and has previously appeared before courts in Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the scene. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whatJanis Balodis died in a fatal incident shortly after 9pm. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at a house in the Arderry area of Corrawaleen. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whereThe murder is alleged to have taken place at Arderry. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened shortly after 9pm on 11 June. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have taken place on 11 June 2026. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe Garda investigation file is at an advanced stage of preparation. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- investigationA garda sergeant told the court there were no directions and the file was at an advanced stage. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeBartosz Cylka is charged with the murder of Janis Balodis. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- chargeBartosz Cylka has been charged with the murder of Janis Balodis. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeCylka was arrested and later charged with the murder of Balodis. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe accused appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody to appear at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court on 19 August. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtCylka appeared by videolink from custody before Judge Ciaran Liddy. (donegallive.ie)
- courtCylka's solicitor withdrew his services due to the ongoing solicitor strike. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned until 15 September at Carrick-on-Shannon. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe accused's solicitor withdrew from the case because of an ongoing solicitors' dispute. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherThe solicitors' withdrawal is linked to a dispute with the Minister for Justice over reform of Criminal Legal Aid fees. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherA Polish interpreter was provided during the proceedings. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherJanis Balodis was originally from Latvia. (donegallive.ie)
- otherCylka has remained in custody since being charged. (donegallive.ie)
- otherCylka has previously appeared before courts in Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Aug2026Judge adjourns Leitrim murder case at Ballyshannon Courthouse
First report of this case in the sources. Adds the charge, the victim's details, the custody status, and the adjournment to 15 September at Carrick-on-Shannon.
accused, Bartosz Cylka, 36, Polish, named, non-irishBartosz Cylkavictim, Janis Balodis, 41, maleJanis Balodis - 28 Jul2026Man charged with Leitrim murder further remanded in custody
Reports the 28 July 2026 Carrick-on-Shannon District Court hearing, where the accused was further remanded in custody and sent to a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court on 19 August. Adds that the Garda file was at an advanced stage, that the solicitor withdrew because of a legal aid dispute, and that a Polish interpreter was provided.
victim, Janis Balodis, 41, male, non-irish (judged from name)Janis Balodisaccused, Bartosz Cylka, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Bartosz Cylka