Ireland Case No. 2226Manslaughter · Co. Kilkenny · 27 Feb 2023
Man jailed for manslaughter over son's death in Kilkenny
On 27 February 2023, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, a 70-year-old man, fatally stabbed his 37-year-old son Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, a Polish national, in the leg during an argument at their home on Meadow Way, Kilkenny. The victim, a father of one who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, bled to death from the severed femoral artery. Bednarczyk was arrested at the scene and initially charged with murder before pleading guilty to manslaughter in October 2024. On 26 February 2025, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to 18 months in prison, reducing a three-year headline sentence to two years with the final six months suspended on condition of 12 months' probation supervision.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested1 Mar
- Charged1 Mar
4 reports - In court1 Mar
3 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Feb
4 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Zbigniew Bednarczyk, a 70-year-old man (earlier reports gave his age as 69 or 61), fatally stabbed his son Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, a 37-year-old Polish national (earlier reports gave his age as 36), in the right thigh during an argument at their home.
- Where
- The incident occurred at 21 Meadow Way, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny city.
- When
- The stabbing took place on Monday 27 February 2023, and the victim was found dead in the kitchen at approximately 6pm.
- Cause
- The single stab wound to the right thigh severed the femoral artery, causing the victim to bleed to death from hypovolemic shock.
- Weapon
- A bloodstained knife was found on the kitchen table and seized by Gardaí.
- Investigation
- The accused was arrested at the scene and charged by Detective Sergeant Brian Sheeran, and the Garda Technical Bureau examined the scene.
- Charges
- The accused was initially charged with murder and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October 2024.
- In court
- The accused appeared at Carlow District Court on 1 March 2023, was refused bail and remanded in custody, and the case proceeded through Kilkenny District Court to the Central Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- On 26 February 2025, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court imposed a two-year sentence with the final six months suspended on condition of 12 months' probation supervision, reducing a three-year headline sentence.
- Other details
- The victim had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, had stopped taking his medication, and a toxicology report showed he was three times over the legal alcohol limit and had taken amphetamines and prescribed medication.
- The accused maintained the stabbing was an accident, stating his son hit him on the head while he was holding a knife he was using to prepare food.
- The accused had ten previous convictions, including making gain or causing loss by deception and possession of false instruments.
132 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim used to run a juice bar in the centre of Kilkenny (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was a father of one (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim had recently turned 36 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was stabbed once in the leg during a row at his home (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe suspect was arrested at the scene and has been in custody since (irishmirror.ie)
- whatZibigniew Bednarczyk, from Meadow Way in Kilkenny, was charged in relation to the stabbing. (rte.ie)
- whatRefal Bednarczyk, 37, died following an argument at their home on Monday evening. (rte.ie)
- whatA man in his 60s was charged in connection to a fatal assault. (extra.ie)
- whatA man was arrested in connection with a fatal assault in Kilkenny City on Monday. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe man is in his 60s. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe victim was stabbed once in his thigh and died from his injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was found dead in the kitchen in a pool of blood. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe stab wound to the right thigh damaged an artery. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA bloodstained knife believed to be used in the attack was on the kitchen table. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA witness told gardai he walked into the kitchen when the father and son were fighting. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused maintained it was an accident. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused stated his son hit him on the head, he had a knife in his hand, turned and stabbed his son. (irishmirror.ie)
- 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)
- whatBednarczyk fatally stabbed his mentally ill son in the leg. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatA 70-year-old man fatally stabbed his mentally ill son in the leg. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe defendant fatally stabbed his son in the leg, severing the femoral artery. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at a residence on Meadow Way, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny city (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fatal assault took place in Kilkenny. (extra.ie)
- whereThe son was found dead at 21 Meadow Way, Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe body was found on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe victim was found dead at 21 Meadow Way. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe accused lives in Meadow Way, Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Meadow Way, Kilkenny. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened at Meadow Way, Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe sentence was passed at the Central Criminal Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe victim was discovered at approximately 6pm (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on Monday 27 February 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe accused was arrested at 10.40am on Wednesday morning in Kilkenny. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenHe was charged at 11.25am. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe victim was found dead on Monday 27 February. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe killing happened on 27 February 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe stabbing took place on 27 February 2023. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on 27 February 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe victim bled to death from the single wound (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe son sustained one stab wound to the thigh which damaged the femoral artery. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeIt is alleged there was an argument between the accused and his son during which the son sustained the fatal injury. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe accused fatally stabbed his son in the leg during an altercation. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe wound was a single incision that cut the femoral artery. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeSevering the femoral artery caused the deceased to go into hypovolemic shock. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe severing of the femoral artery caused the victim to go into hypovolemic shock. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe victim had stopped taking his medication and was using alcohol. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe son had stopped taking his medication and was using alcohol at the time of his death. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeSevering the femoral artery caused the son to go into hypovolemic shock. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThe severing of the femoral artery caused the deceased to go into hypovolemic shock. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA knife was observed on the kitchen table and seized by Gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- weaponBednarczyk had a knife in his possession at the time. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- weaponThe defendant said he was holding a knife at the time. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Technical Bureau is examining the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe course of the investigation will be determined by the post mortem examination (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí carried out door-to-door enquiries late on Monday and throughout Tuesday (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for CCTV or dash cam footage from anyone near the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDetective Sergeant Brian Sheeran arrested and charged Zibigniew Bednarczyk at 11.25am in Kilkenny. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe file is being forwarded to the DPP and further more serious charges may be brought. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDetective Sgt Brian Sheeran gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA detective garda said he charged Bednarczyk that morning. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationParamedics found the victim on the kitchen floor with no pulse and did not attempt CPR. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe accused told gardaí that he was holding the knife when his son was injured. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe defendant said he had the knife because he was using it to prepare food. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationParamedics found the deceased on the kitchen floor surrounded by and drenched in blood. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe suspect is being held on suspicion of murder (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged under Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with serious assault causing harm to his son. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe charge carries a maximum of a life sentence upon conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBednarczyk has been charged with murder. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeBednarczyk had earlier appeared at Carlow District Court on 2 March, charged under Section 4 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeThe accused was initially charged with murder. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeBednarczyk was initially charged with the murder of his son. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeBednarczyk entered a plea to manslaughter in October 2024. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeThe man was initially charged with the murder of his son on 27 February 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeThe defendant was initially charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA 69-year-old man appeared before Carlow District Court charged with assault causing serious harm to his son who died as a result of his injuries. (rte.ie)
- courtThe accused was provided with a Polish interpreter in court. (rte.ie)
- courtThe accused was granted legal aid after the court heard he was long-term unemployed. (rte.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody by Judge Geraldine Carthy to appear again via video link on Monday. (rte.ie)
- courtThe man is set to appear before Carlow District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtZbigniew Besnarczyk appeared before Carlow District Court on 1 March 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtGardaí objected to bail on grounds of seriousness and flight risk. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtJudge Geraldine Carthy denied bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear before Kilkenny District Court via video link. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtZbigniew Bednarczyk was refused bail at Carlow District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Geraldine Carthy rejected bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear via videolink next Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtLegal aid was granted on the basis that the accused is unemployed, has not worked for some time and has health issues. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBednarczyk appeared before Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned for a book of evidence to be prepared. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtBednarczyk was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Kilkenny Court on June 22. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe accused pleaded to manslaughter after his trial began, and the State accepted the plea. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtDefence counsel said the victim had developed very serious mental health issues. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtA toxicology report showed the victim was in an inebriated condition on the day. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtSentence was passed at the Central Criminal Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe man entered a plea to manslaughter in October 2024, which the State accepted. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe judge said the case was in the lower culpability category of manslaughter cases. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe judge adjourned sentencing to the following Tuesday. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- 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)
- sentenceZbigniew Bednarczyk was jailed for 18 months. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a two-year sentence with the final six months suspended. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set the headline sentence at three years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was dated from January 1, 2024. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months were suspended on condition of 12 months' probation supervision after release. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was set at three years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was reduced to two years, with the final six months suspended on condition of 12 months' probation supervision after release. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe man was jailed for 18 months. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe defendant was sentenced to two years with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe estate is a small area of about 50 houses (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe son had been living in Ireland for a number of years. (rte.ie)
- otherThe victim of the fatal assault is described as a Polish national. (extra.ie)
- otherThe accused did not reply when charged. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe accused was assisted in court by a Polish interpreter. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe accused's solicitor said his client maintained the incident was an accident. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherA Polish interpreter translated the evidence for the accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBednarczyk said he did not kill the victim. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe accused has been in custody since 1 March 2023 and received a separate sentence for fraud offences. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe judge placed the case in the lower culpability category of manslaughter cases. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherBednarczyk had 10 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe son had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe defendant had 10 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- 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 Feb2025'Desperately sad': Man jailed over death of mentally-ill son in Kilkenny
Reports the sentencing: 18 months in prison (two years with the final six months suspended, after a headline sentence of three years), with probation supervision for 12 months. Adds the plea to manslaughter, the judge's comments on mental health, medication and alcohol, the knife evidence, and the defendant's 10 previous convictions.
convicted, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 70, male, namedZbigniew Bednarczykvictim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 37, maleRafal Bednarczyk Jacyna - 26 Feb2025Kilkenny stabbing: Father jailed has paid 'very high price' for death of son
Sentencing report: Zbigniew Bednarczyk was jailed for 18 months at the Central Criminal Court. The article adds the judge's reasoning, the headline sentence of three years, the suspended element and its probation condition, the prior convictions, and the earlier murder charge reduced to manslaughter.
convicted, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 70, male, namedZbigniew Bednarczykvictim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 37, maleRafal Bednarczyk Jacyna - 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 - 20 Feb2025Desperately sad Kilkenny manslaughter - man to be sentenced for death of son
Reports the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 20 February 2025, including the defence mitigation, the victim impact statement and the adjournment of sentence to the following Tuesday. Adds that the accused was charged with murder before pleading to manslaughter, and that the accused has been in custody since March 2023.
victim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)Rafal Bednarczyk Jacynaconvicted, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 70, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zbigniew Bednarczyk - 19 Jun2023Man charged with murder in Kilkenny
Reports that Bednarczyk was charged with murder at Kilkenny District Court, adjourned for a book of evidence and remanded in custody to appear by video link on 22 June. Says he denied killing the victim. Also notes an earlier Carlow District Court appearance on 2 March under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
victim, Rafal Bednarczyk JacynaRafal Bednarczyk Jacynaaccused, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, male, namedZbigniew Bednarczyk - 1 Mar2023Kilkenny stabbing: Man charged with serious assault insists 'it was an accident'
Bail hearing details: accused claims accident; witness contradicts with 'chest to chest' account; file to DPP with possibility of more serious charges; legal aid granted; remanded in custody to appear via videolink.
victim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)Rafal Bednarczyk Jacynaaccused, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, 69, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zbigniew Bednarczyk - 1 Mar2023Breaking: Man appears in court over fatal assault of his son in Kilkenny
First court appearance; charged under Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997; bail denied and remanded in custody to Kilkenny District Court.
suspect, Zbigniew Besnarczyk, 61, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zbigniew Besnarczykvictim, Rafal Besnarczyk Jacyna, male, non-irish (judged from name)Rafal Besnarczyk Jacyna - 1 Mar2023Man to appear in court over fatal Kilkenny assault
Confirms the suspect has been charged and is due to appear at Carlow District Court.
suspect, 60s, male - 1 Mar2023Man, 60s, Charged In Connection To Kilkenny Fatal Assault Of Polish National
The article confirms the charging of a man in his 60s in connection with the fatal assault of a Polish national in Kilkenny, consistent with the existing case record for Zbigniew Besnarczyk and Rafal Besnarczyk Jacyna.
victim, Polish, non-irishsuspect, 60s, male - 1 Mar2023Father charged over fatal assault of son in Kilkenny
Provides the son's age (37), confirms the death followed an argument, notes the son had been living in Ireland for a number of years, that the father was long-term unemployed, that a Polish interpreter was provided, and that he was remanded to appear via video link on Monday.
victim, Refal Bednarczyk, 37, male, non-irish (judged from name)Refal Bednarczyksuspect, Zibigniew Bednarczyk, 69, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zibigniew Bednarczyk - 1 Mar2023First picture of man killed in Kilkenny stabbing as neighbours react in horror
Provides first picture of the victim, details that he was a dad of one who used to run a juice bar in Kilkenny centre, confirms the single stab wound to the leg during a row, describes the suspect as a pensioner in his late 60s arrested at the scene, notes the Garda Technical Bureau is examining the scene, and includes reactions from neighbours and the Lord Mayor of Kilkenny.
victim, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)Rafal Bednarczyk Jacynasuspect, late 60s, male