Ireland Case No. 6755Assault causing harm (death under investigation) · Co. Tipperary · 27 Dec 2023
Two men released without charge over death of Maciej Nowak in Tipperary; file to DPP
Maciej Nowak, a 32-year-old Polish national and construction worker, was found dead at a rented house in Ballycrana, near Kilross, Co Tipperary, at about 4am on Wednesday 27 December 2023, after celebrating his birthday with friends on St Stephen's night. A post-mortem showed evidence of assault and serious head injuries. Tomasz Rozpeda, a 27-year-old Polish man, was arrested in late December and charged on 30 December 2023 with assault causing harm to Mr Nowak, and he was remanded in custody to appear again on 24 January 2024 for DPP directions. Two Polish men in their 30s were arrested in Dublin on 8 January 2024 and held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, then released without charge, and on 16 January 2024 gardaí said they would prepare a file for the DPP on the two men.
- Reported27 Dec
- Arrested27 Dec
6 reports - Charged30 Dec
- In court30 Dec
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Maciej Nowak, a 32-year-old Polish national and construction worker, was found dead (one article spells his surname Novak).
- He had been celebrating his 32nd birthday with friends on St Stephen's night before returning to the property.
- Where
- His body was found at a rented house in Ballycrana, near Kilross, Co Tipperary.
- Ballycrana is about five kilometres south of Tipperary town, though one source says eight kilometres.
- When
- He was found at about 4am on Wednesday 27 December 2023, and was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor; one article gives 27 January as the discovery date.
- Cause
- A post-mortem by a State Pathologist at University Hospital Waterford showed evidence of assault, and sources say he suffered serious head injuries.
- Investigation
- Gardaí sealed off the house and a shed, which were examined by the Garda Technical Bureau for DNA and other evidence, and seized several mobile phones.
- A man in his 20s was arrested over the discovery of the body; one source gives 28 December, while the Irish Times reports Tomasz Rozpeda, 27, was arrested outside Tipperary Town Garda Station at 11.48pm on Friday.
- The two Polish men were held for over 48 hours and then released without charge.
- On 16 January 2024, gardaí said they would prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions on the two men, and investigations are ongoing.
- Charges
- Tomasz Rozpeda, a 27-year-old Polish man, was charged on 30 December 2023 with assault causing harm to Maciej Nowak under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and made no reply to the charge.
- In court
- Mr Rozpeda was charged at a special sitting of Nenagh District Court, did not apply for bail, was granted free legal aid and was remanded in custody to appear again the following Wednesday.
- Mr Rozpeda was remanded in custody to 24 January 2024 for DPP directions, and further charges from the same incident may be brought.
- Other details
- On Monday 8 January 2024, two Polish men in their 30s were arrested in Dublin and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Garda stations in Co Tipperary, bringing the total number arrested to three.
115 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí discovered the body of a male in his 30s. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí are investigating a fatal assault on a male in his 30s. (garda.ie)
- whatThe deceased was a building worker and was Polish. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSources say the dead man had spent St Stephen's Day socialising with others before returning to the property. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man has been charged in connection with the death of a reveller at a post-Christmas party in Co Tipperary. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe victim is believed to have suffered serious head injuries after being assaulted at a party at the house. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe article describes the case as a fatal assault on a man whose body was found in a rented house. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMaciej Nowak, 32, was found dead in a house in Co Tipperary over Christmas. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe investigation concerns the death of Maciej Nowak, a Polish national. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe body was found at a residence in Ballycrana, Kilross, Co Tipperary. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe assault happened at a residence in Ballycrana, Kilross, Co Tipperary. (garda.ie)
- whereThe arrests took place in the Dublin area. (garda.ie)
- whereKilross is a few miles south west of Tipperary Town. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe body was found at a house in Ballycrana, Kilross, Co Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe scene at Ballycrana is around five kilometres south of Tipperary town and was kept preserved pending further investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe body was found in a room of a rented property in the townland of Ballycrana, near Kilross. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe victim was found dead in a room of a rented property in the townland of Ballycrana, near Kilross. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereNowak's body was found in a rented house on the Tipperary-Limerick border. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assault is alleged to have happened at Ballycrana, Kilcross, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMr Nowak was found at his rented home at Ballycrana near Kilcross. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMaciej Nowak was found dead at a rented property in Ballycrana, Kilross, Co Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe two men in their 30s were arrested in the Dublin area. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMr Nowak was found at a rented house at Ballycrana, Kilross, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMr Nowak was found unresponsive at a rented house at Ballycrana, Kilross, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe body was discovered shortly after 4am on Wednesday 27 December 2023. (garda.ie)
- whenThe assault happened on Wednesday, 27 December 2023. (garda.ie)
- whenThe two men were arrested on Monday, 8 January 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe man was found dead early on Wednesday 27 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe body was found shortly after 4am on Wednesday 27 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe death followed an incident at a party in Co Tipperary on 27 December. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe victim's body was found at around 4am on Wednesday, 27 December. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe assault is alleged to have taken place between December 26th and December 27th. (irishtimes.com)
- whenNowak was found unresponsive at his rented home at about 4am on Wednesday when gardaí called to the property. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault charge covers the period between 26 and 27 December. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí found Mr Nowak unresponsive around 4am on 27 December. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal assault took place at a residence in Ballycrana, Kilross, on 27 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenTwo men in their 30s were arrested on the evening of Monday 8 January 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMr Nowak was found shortly after 4am on December 27th. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe death was investigated as occurring over the Christmas holidays. (irishtimes.com)
- causeSources said there were signs the man had been assaulted. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe deceased suffered serious head injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeSources say a post-mortem showed evidence the man had been assaulted. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeOfficers believe the man suffered serious head injuries in the night. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeSources say a post-mortem showed evidence the victim had been assaulted. (corkbeo.ie)
- causeMr Nowak is understood to have suffered serious head injuries during an assault at the party. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeMr Nowak suffered fatal injuries in an assault. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí arrested a man in relation to the discovery of the body on 28 December 2023. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man, aged in his 20s, is detained at a Garda station in the Munster region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí have made two further arrests in the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationTwo males aged in their 30s were arrested in the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationBoth men are detained under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in County Tipperary. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the circumstances of the discovery of the body. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers sealed off a property in Kilross. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers from the Garda Technical Bureau in Dublin were at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe scene has been preserved for forensic and technical examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested a man in his 20s in connection with the incident on 28 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is detained at a Garda station in the Munster region. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe suspect is a Polish man who was held on suspicion of assaulting the man who died. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested a man in his 30s, who was still being questioned. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem was carried out at University Hospital Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Armed Support Unit was called to the house when the alarm was raised and helped secure the area. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for anyone with information to contact them. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem was carried out on the victim at University Hospital Waterford. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí sealed off a shed in the property for examination. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationRozpeda was arrested outside Tipperary Town Garda Station at 11.48pm on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were awaiting the Director of Public Prosecutions' instructions. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí from the Garda Technical Bureau are examining the house for DNA and other evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí seized a number of mobile phones as part of the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA postmortem examination by a State Pathologist has informed the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí made two further arrests in the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí sealed off a shed for examination at the property. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí said investigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested two men in Dublin on Monday evening and brought them to Tipperary town Garda station for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe two men, both in their 30s and Polish nationals, were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe arrests bring the number arrested in connection with the death to three. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were awaiting DPP directions, and further charges may be brought at the next hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetectives arrested two men in Dublin the week before the article was published. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe two arrested men are Polish and in their 30s. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe two men were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe two men were held for over 48 hours and then released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí will prepare a file for the DPP on the two men. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe suspect was held on suspicion of assaulting a man who died after an incident at a party on December 27. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeRozpeda was charged with assault causing harm to Maciej Nowak under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Rozpeda was charged with assaulting Mr Nowak causing him harm. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFurther charges may be brought against Mr Rozpeda arising from the same incident. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeA 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeTomasz Rozpeda was charged with assault causing harm to Mr Nowak under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeTomasz Rozpeda has been charged in connection with an assault on Mr Nowak at the property between December 26th and December 27th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused is due to appear before a special sitting of Nenagh District Court that evening at 5pm. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtRozpeda was remanded in custody after being charged. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRozpeda's solicitor said he was not making a bail application at this stage. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted the Garda application and remanded Rozpeda in custody to appear again at Nenagh District Court the following Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRozpeda was granted free legal aid after submitting a statement of means. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThis was Mr Rozpeda's second court appearance in relation to the assault, at Nenagh District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Rozpeda's solicitor said he was not applying for bail and consented to a remand in custody. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Rozpeda was remanded in custody to 24 January for DPP directions. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAt a special sitting on 29 December, a detective gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBoth men in their 30s are detained under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in County Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Rozpeda was remanded in custody to appear again at Nenagh District Court on January 24th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Rozpeda was charged at a special sitting of Nenagh District Court on December 30th with assault causing harm to Mr Nowak. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Rozpeda made no reply when the assault causing harm charge was put to him after caution. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Rozpeda did not apply for bail. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Rozpeda has been remanded in custody to appear again at Nenagh District Court on January 24th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe State Pathologist's office has been notified and a post-mortem will be arranged. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe deceased had been at a party on St. Stephen's night. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIt is understood the deceased had been socialising the night before. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí must charge or release the arrested man by Saturday. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRozpeda made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNowak was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Nowak was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Rozpeda made no reply to the assault charge after caution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Nowak was pronounced dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Nowak had been celebrating his 32nd birthday on St Stephen’s night with friends. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Jan2024Gardaí prepare file for DPP in relation to investigation into Stephen’s Day assault in Tipperary
Reports that two Polish men were arrested in Dublin, detained under Section 30 and released without charge, with a file to be prepared for the DPP. It also reports that Tomasz Rozpeda was charged, remanded in custody and may face further charges. The article gives 27 January for the discovery time, which conflicts with the 27 December date in the same sentence.
victim, Maciej Nowak, 32, male, Polish, non-irishMaciej Nowaksuspect, 30s, male, Polish, non-irishsuspect, 30s, male, Polish, non-irishaccused, Tomasz Rozpeda, 27, male, Polish, named, non-irishTomasz Rozpeda - 9 Jan2024Two men arrested in relation to death of man in Co Tipperary over Christmas period
Reports the arrest of two more Polish men in their 30s in Dublin on Monday evening, detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, bringing the number arrested to three. It also restates the charge against Tomasz Rozpeda and his remand to January 24th.
victim, Maciej Nowak, 32, male, Polish, non-irishMaciej Nowaksuspect, 30s, Polish, non-irishsuspect, 30s, Polish, non-irishaccused, Tomasz Rozpeda, 27, male, Polish, named at arrest, non-irishTomasz Rozpeda - 9 Jan2024Two men arrested in connection with fatal assault in Tipperary
Reports two further arrests on 8 January 2024 of men in their 30s in Dublin, both detained under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939. Names the victim's age and nationality and says the 27-year-old was charged with assault causing harm.
victim, Maciej Nowak, 32, male, Polish, non-irishMaciej Nowaksuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, maleaccused, 27, male - 3 Jan2024Man arrested over Tipperary death may face charges for other offences
Names Tomasz Rozpeda as charged with assaulting Maciej Nowak causing him harm, says he made a second court appearance, and says he was remanded in custody to 24 January for DPP directions, with possible further charges from the same incident.
victim, Maciej Nowak, 32, male, Polish, non-irishMaciej Nowakaccused, Tomasz Rozpeda, 27, male, Polish, named, non-irishTomasz Rozpeda - 30 Dec2023Man charged with assault after discovery of dead body in Tipperary house
Confirms that Tomasz Rozpeda was charged with assault causing harm to Maciej Nowak and remanded in custody at Nenagh District Court. Adds the charge wording, the arrest details, the Garda technical examination of the house and the bail and legal aid outcome.
accused, Tomasz Rozpeda, 27, male, Polish, named, non-irishTomasz Rozpedavictim, Maciej Nowak, 32, male, Polish, non-irishMaciej Nowak - 30 Dec2023Man to face court over fatal assault of man at Tipperary Christmas party
Reports the charge of a Polish man, the court date at Nenagh District Court, and that the victim was found dead on 27 December; the victim is not named.
accused, male, Polish, non-irishvictim, 30s, male, Polish, non-irish - 30 Dec2023Gardai investigating death of man in Tipperary continue to quiz Polish man
Earlier report from 30 Dec 2023: the suspect is a Polish man arrested a few hours after the body was found and still being questioned, the deceased was a Polish building worker whose name had not been released, and the Garda Armed Support Unit attended the house.
victim, male, Polish, non-irishsuspect, 30s, male, Polish, non-irish - 29 Dec2023Man, 20s, arrested in connection with discovery of body in Tipperary
Reports that a man in his 20s was arrested on 28 December 2023 under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and that the deceased was believed to be a construction worker from Eastern Europe. Does not name anyone.
victim, 30s, malesuspect, 20s, male - 27 Dec2023Gardai probe suspicious death of man in Tipperary as property sealed off
Early report of the death. It adds that the body was found at a Ballycrana, Kilross residence shortly after 4am, that signs of assault were reported, and that the State Pathologist has been notified.
victim, male, non-irish (judged from name) - 27 Dec2023Arrests: Fatal Assault at Ballycrana, Kilross, Co. Tipperary - 27th December 2023
Gives the date and place of the two further arrests (8 January 2024, Dublin area, detained in Co Tipperary under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939) and states that investigations are ongoing. It names no one.
victim, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, male - 27 Dec2023Update Arrest - Discovery of a Body of a Male in Co. Tipperary, Wednesday 27th December 2023
Garda press release reporting an arrest of a man in his 20s over the discovery of a male body at a Ballycrana, Kilross residence. The article does not name the deceased or the arrested man.
victim, 30s, malesuspect, 20s, male