Wednesday 28 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. 3071Murder · Co. Roscommon · 20 Jun 2014

Polish cage fighter Leszek Sychulec seeks miscarriage of justice certificate for 2014 murder conviction

Leszek Sychulec, a Polish cage fighter jailed for life for the 2014 murder of Patryk Krupa in Athlone, Co Roscommon, applied to the Court of Appeal for a miscarriage of justice certificate citing undisclosed material relevant to state witnesses. The matter was adjourned to 3 July 2026, with an affidavit to be filed by 15 June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSychulec is a Polish cage fighter jailed for life for the murder of a 23-year-old man who was beaten unconscious and left to drown in the river Shannon. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKrupa had been walking to the gym with two friends when a black BMW stopped beside them and two men got out. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSychulec is a Polish cage fighter (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPatryk Krupa was 23 years old (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKrupa drowned in the River Shannon while incapacitated with a head injury from a violent assault (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKrupa was walking to the gym with two friends when a black BMW stopped beside them (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKrupa disappeared down an alley with the men from the BMW (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBlood and DNA matching the deceased was found on a watch worn by Sychulec at the time of his arrest (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThere was evidence of blood staining on one of Sychulec's socks (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereSychulec's last address was Drinan, Ballymahon, Co Longford. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereCo-accused Andrzej Gruchacz previously had an address in Warsaw, Poland. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe murder occurred at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereGruchacz previously had an address in Warsaw, Poland (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe murder of Patryk Krupa took place at Bogganfin, Athlone, Co Roscommon, on 20 June 2014. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeKrupa drowned in the Shannon outside Athlone while incapacitated with a head injury from a violent assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationBlood and DNA matching the deceased was found on a watch worn by Sychulec at the time of his arrest, and there was evidence of blood staining on one of his socks. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA Central Criminal Court jury deliberated for five hours before reaching unanimous guilty verdicts. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth men appealed their convictions, but they were upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to 3 July 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAn affidavit exhibiting the new evidence was to be filed by 15 June 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth defendants pleaded not guilty (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said no explanation into the background of what caused the incident had been forthcoming (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth men appealed their convictions and the appeals were upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2018 (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBarrister Stephen Faulkner appeared led by senior counsel Mark Lynam (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Kennedy adjourned the matter to 3 July (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtAn affidavit exhibiting the new evidence should be filed by 15 June (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMandatory life sentences were given by Judge Tony Hunt on 13 June 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceSychulec and Gruchacz were given mandatory life sentences (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge told the court no explanation into the background of what caused the incident had been forthcoming. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 May2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Jailed cage fighter wants murder conviction declared miscarriage of justice

    Sychulec's legal team applied for a miscarriage of justice certificate before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy at the Court of Appeal, arguing the conviction was undermined by undisclosed material relevant to state witnesses. The DPP's barrister noted the defence intended to write to the DPP's office to outline disclosure requirements. The matter was adjourned to 3 July 2026 with an affidavit to be filed by 15 June 2026.

    victim, Patryk Krupa, 23, male, non-irish (judged from name)Patryk Krupaconvicted, Leszek Sychulec, 40s, male, Polish, named, non-irishLeszek Sychulecconvicted, Andrzej Gruchacz, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Andrzej Gruchacz
  2. 15 May2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Cage fighter seeks miscarriage of justice ruling for 2014 murder conviction

    Reports Sychulec's Court of Appeal application for a miscarriage of justice certificate, with the matter adjourned to 3 July 2026 and an affidavit of new evidence due by 15 June 2026.

    convicted, Leszek Sychulec, 40s, male, Polish, named, non-irishLeszek Sychulecconvicted, Andrzej Gruchacz, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Andrzej Gruchaczvictim, Patryk Krupa, 23, male, non-irish (judged from name)Patryk Krupa