UPDATE: Man charged with assault and false imprisonment of Patryk Krupa

A man has appeared in court charged with assault causing harm to Patryk Krupa at Bogganfin, Athlone, on Friday, June 20, and also with falsely imprisoning him on the same date. Mr Krupa's body was discovered partially submerged in the River Shannon at Bogganfin on Friday at 8.25pm.

Leszek Sychulec, (32), 14 Drinan, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, was further charged with threatening to kill or cause harm to Ewa Krasinksa at Athlone Garda Station, Barrack Street, Athlone, on June 21, 2014.

A crowd of about 70 people gathered outside the court and heckled the accused as he was brought into the courthouse.

Mr Sychulec appeared before a special sitting of Athlone District Court this evening before Judge Seamus Hughes. Garda Aidan Lyons told the court he had arrested the accused man this morning at Athlone Garda Station at 11.50am and cautioned him after each of the three charges. He made no reply to any of the charges.

Judge Hughes asked Supt Noreen McBrien if the DPP had given any directions regarding a venue for the court case and Supt McBrien said the gardai were still preparing a file for the DPP regarding a venue (district court or higher). She made an application to have the defendant remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court on Friday, June 27.

Defence solicitor Owen Carty said his client was consenting to the remand in custody. He made an application for legal aid.

Judge Seamus Hughes asked if any further charges were anticipated in relation to the accused.

Supt McBrien responded that investigations were continuing and there may be further, more serious, charges. 

Mr Carty said he wished to defer the application for legal aid to the remand hearing as his client could not supply the details required.

“He’s not on social welfare. He’s unemployed. He lives with his partner, who is on social welfare,” Mr Carty said.

When asked by Judge Hughes how he supports himself, Mr Carty said his partner supported him.

Mr Carty said Mr Sychulec had been in the country for a year, but had lived in Ireland previously for a number of years and left about three and a half years ago. When asked by Judge Hughes, Mr Carty said his client had no bank account here.

Judge Hughes quereied: “Has he sent any money by Western Union out of this jurisdiction in the past two weeks?”

Mr Sychulec, through an interpreter, said he hadn’t. 

Judge Hughes then directed the gardai to check if the defendant had sent any money by Western Union out of the country in last two weeks.

As proceedings were brought to a conclusion there were emotional scenes from Mr Krupa’s family, with his mother shouting at the accused in Polish.