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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
John Hand

Kilkenny stabbing: Man charged with serious assault insists 'it was an accident'

A man charged with a serious assault on his son who was found lying in "a pool of blood" claims it was an accident, a court heard.

But Zbigniew Bednarczyk was today refused bail at Carlow District Court following objections by gardai.

A Garda witness told the court that a witness contradicts the accused's account of what happened.

READ MORE - First picture of man killed in Kilkenny stabbing as neighbours of quiet estate express shock

Mr Bednarczyk, 69, was brought before Judge Geraldine Carthy where he was charged with serious assault causing harm to his son Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna, 36, at Meadow Way, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny city on Monday night.

The court heard that dad-of-one Rafal was stabbed once in his thigh and died from his injuries.

The accused, wearing a grey tracksuit and black runners, sat quietly throughout the hearing as a Polish interpreter translated the evidence for him.

Detective Sgt Brian Sheeran took to the stand to give evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said he arrested the accused at 10.40am on Wednesday morning in Kilkenny.

After bringing him to Kilkenny Garda Station, he charged him at 11.25am and the accused made no reply.

Mr Bednarczyk was handed a true copy of the charge sheet.

The court heard that a file is in the process of being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions and further more serious charges may be brought.

Det Sgt Sheeran objected to bail citing the seriousness of the charge - which carries a maximum of a life sentence upon conviction - flight risk fears and potential interference with witnesses.

282-2023 The body being removed from the scene where a man died from alleged stab wounds at Meadow Way in Kilkenny (Dylan Vaughan)

The senior officer told the court that gardai responded to a call to the address of the incident on Monday night.

He explained that upon arrival, the victim was dead in the kitchen.

Det Sgt Sheeran said: "He was laying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood and was clearly deceased."

He said the accused's son had suffered one stab wound to his right thigh which damaged an artery.

The court heard that gardai observed a bloodstained knife believed to be used in the attack on the kitchen table.

Det Sgt Sheeran said when he arrived at the scene, he was approached by the accused saying he had stabbed his son in the course of an argument.

Mr Bednarczyk has poor English and there was a person at the scene translating for him to the garda on the night before his arrest.

Det Sgt Sheeran added: "I was also aware of further disclosures made by the accused prior to my arrival at the scene."

He alleged that the "injury sustained was caused to the injured party by the accused."

In relation to the nature of evidence, Det Sgt Sheeran said a witness has told gardai in a statement that he walked into the kitchen of the house when the father and son were fighting.

He said the witness observed the pair standing "chest to chest."

Later when in custody, the accused maintained it was an accident. But his account is contradicted by the witness which is "significant" in this case, the garda told the judge.

Solicitor Tom Walsh, for the accused, said his client has been consistent in garda interviews that it was an accident.

However, Det Sgt Sheeran said that at the property before his arrest, Mr Bednarczyk stated that he had been in an argument, his son hit him on the head, he had a knife in his hand, turned and stabbed his son.

Mr Walsh said this was translated at the scene by a Polish speaker but in custody his client had a qualified interpreter.

He pleaded for bail for the accused saying he is in a position to reside at a different address to alleviate fears he'll interfere with witnesses.

He said the accused is not in a position to travel because of his age and lack of documentation.

He said it is his client's case that this is not a criminal offence, it is an accident and they will proceed with that argument as it moves forward.

Judge Carthy rejected bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear via videolink next Monday.

She also certified a polish interpreter to be in court.

She also granted legal aid on the basis of Mr Walsh's application saying that his client is unemployed, has not worked for some time and has health issues.

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