Cork man accused of murdering young Ukrainian father remanded in custody

The 42-year-old man accused of murdering a young Ukrainian father-of-one who lost his life following a violent incident near his home in Cork city centre last month was remanded in custody until May 18.

Jonathan Hennessy appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison today.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said there were no DPP directions in the case yet. 

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused man in custody until May 18 at Cork District Court for formal DPP directions, noting there was consent from the defence to an adjournment longer than two weeks.

Jonathan Hennessy of 15 Dr Patrick O’Sullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, County Cork, was charged by Detective Garda Kevin Motherway with a single count which stated that: “On March 16, 2023, at Knapp’s Square, Cork City in the District Court area of Cork City in District area 19, he did murder one Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi, contrary to Common Law.” 

When cautioned that he did not have to say anything but that whatever he might say would be taken down in writing and could be given in evidence, he made no reply to the charge.

Sgt John Dineen previously said it was alleged that on March 16 at Knapp’s Square at 7.50pm the deceased sustained a stab wound to his chest during an altercation. 

He made his way home and subsequently died, death being formally pronounced at 8.35pm.

It was reported that the father of one, who was in his early 30s, was stabbed just metres from his home at Camden Court apartments on Carroll’s Quay, Cork, when he went out to buy food nearby. 

He made it back to his apartment where his partner called for help. Despite paramedics working to save his life, he was later pronounced dead at the scene. 

An investigation was launched immediately after the fatal stabbing.