Cork man accused of murdering Ukrainian father of one sent forward for trial

The Cork man accused of murdering a young Ukrainian father of one in Cork city last March was served with a book of evidence.

Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan served 42-year-old Jonathan Hennessy of 15 Dr Patrick O’Sullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, County Cork, with the book of evidence on Thursday through his solicitor Eddie Burke.

A change to the strike by free legal aid solicitors in Cork allowed the case to move forward.

Solicitors at Cork District Court and Cork Circuit Criminal Court made themselves available to represent existing clients who are in custody, but continued the withholding of legal services to clients presently on bail.

Jonathan Hennessy is charged 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.'

Judge David Waters sent the case forward to the Central Criminal Court where a trial date will be set.

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.