Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8741Murder · Co. Roscommon · 20 Jun 2014

Longford cage fighter seeks to overturn murder conviction

On 20 June 2014, Patryk Krupa, a 23-year-old man, was allegedly beaten and left to drown in the River Shannon at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Leszek Sychulec, a Polish cage fighter, and Andrzej Gruchacz were convicted of his murder by a Central Criminal Court jury, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt gave both men mandatory life sentences on 13 June 2016. The Court of Appeal upheld both convictions in 2018. Sychulec is now seeking to have his conviction declared a miscarriage of justice, and Ms Justice Kennedy set 17 December for that hearing, with the matter listed for mention on 17 July.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Patryk Krupa, a 23-year-old man, is the victim of the case.
  • Leszek Sychulec, a Polish cage fighter living in Longford, is seeking to have his murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice.
  • Andrzej Gruchacz was convicted alongside Sychulec of the murder.
Where
The killing is alleged to have taken place at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon.
When
The killing is alleged to have taken place on 20 June 2014.
Cause
According to the case, Mr Krupa drowned in the River Shannon while incapacitated by a head injury from a violent assault.
Investigation
  • Blood and DNA matching Mr Krupa was found on a watch worn by Sychulec at the time of his arrest.
  • The defence has asked the DPP for disclosure about a newspaper article alleging that a garda connected to the case was involved in organised crime.
In court
  • A Central Criminal Court jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after five hours of deliberation.
  • The Court of Appeal upheld both men's convictions in 2018.
  • Ms Justice Kennedy set 17 December as the hearing date for the miscarriage of justice application.
  • The matter was listed for mention on 17 July.
Sentence
Mr Justice Tony Hunt gave both men mandatory life sentences on 13 June 2016.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe Court of Appeal set a December hearing for a miscarriage of justice application by a cage fighter living in Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe applicant is seeking to have his murder conviction of a 23-year-old man declared a miscarriage of justice. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe murder was alleged to have taken place at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe killing is alleged to have taken place on June 20, 2014. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeMr Krupa drowned in the Shannon while incapacitated with a head injury from a violent assault. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationBlood and DNA matching the deceased was found on a watch worn by Sychulec at the time of his arrest. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe defence is seeking disclosure about a newspaper article alleging that a garda in the case was involved in organised crime. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtA Central Criminal Court jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after five hours of deliberation. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal upheld both men's convictions in 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Kennedy set 17 December as the hearing date for the miscarriage of justice application. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe matter was listed for mention on 17 July. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe two men were given mandatory life sentences by Mr Justice Tony Hunt on June 13, 2016. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Jul2026
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Longford cage fighter wants murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice

    Court of Appeal listing for a miscarriage of justice application over the Patryk Krupa murder conviction. The affidavit has been filed, the DPP is engaging on disclosure about a garda, and the matter is listed for mention on 17 July.

    victim, Patryk Krupa, 23, male, non-irish (judged from name)Patryk Krupaconvicted, Leszek Sychulec, male, Polish, named, non-irishLeszek Sychulecconvicted, Andrzej Gruchacz, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Andrzej Gruchacz