Case No. 2226Manslaughter · Co. Kilkenny · 27 Feb 2023
Man jailed for 18 months for fatally stabbing mentally-ill son in Kilkenny
Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 70, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his son Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 37, whose femoral artery was severed by a kitchen knife during a physical altercation at their home in Kilkenny on 27 February 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Feb
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe son had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was under medical supervision. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA toxicology report showed the son was three times over the legal limit for driving and had taken amphetamines and prescribed medication. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe son had stopped taking his medication at the time of his death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe defendant had ten previous convictions, including making gain or causing loss by deception and possession of false instruments. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatParamedics found the son on the floor of the kitchen surrounded by and drenched in blood. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe State pathologist said it was difficult to determine the degree of force used. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí said the defendant was very remorseful for what he had done. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe son was a father himself at the time of his death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe defendant fatally stabbed his son in the leg, severing the femoral artery. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Meadow Way, Kilkenny. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenThe stabbing took place on 27 February 2023. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- causeThe severing of the femoral artery caused the deceased to go into hypovolemic shock. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationParamedics found the deceased on the kitchen floor surrounded by and drenched in blood. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe defendant was initially charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was set at three years, reduced to two years, with the final six months suspended on condition of probation supervision for 12 months. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe defendant was sentenced to two years with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe deceased was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was under medical supervision. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe deceased returned to the house under the influence of alcohol and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant has 10 previous convictions including deception and possession of false instruments. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA probation report placed the defendant at moderate risk of reoffending within the next year. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant told gardaí he was getting food ready when his son came in very agitated. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Feb2025Man (70) jailed for 18 months for fatally stabbing mentally-ill son
Sentencing report with judge's remarks, evidence from Det Sgt Sheeran and State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis, witness testimony, and the defendant's account of the incident.
victim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 37, male, non-irish (judged from name)Rafal Bednarczyk Jacynaconvicted, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 70, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zbigniew Bednarczyk - 26 Feb2025Man who fatally stabbed mentally ill son jailed in 'desperately sad' case
Sentencing details including the judge's remarks on the son's mental health and substance use, the circumstances of the stabbing, the defendant's prior convictions, and the reduction from a three-year headline sentence to two years with six months suspended.
victim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 37, male, non-irish (judged from name)Rafal Bednarczyk Jacynaconvicted, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 70, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zbigniew Bednarczyk