Man (29) pleads guilty to manslaughter of Polish national in Tipperary

Alison O'Riordan

A 29-year-old man who was originally charged with the murder of a Polish national in Tipperary over two years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Tomasz Rozpeda of no fixed abode appeared before the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning.

He was arraigned on a charge that he unlawfully killed Maciej Nowak on a date on or about December 26th or 27th, 2023, at Ballycranna, Kilross in Co Tipperary.

John Berry for the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea is accepted. He said the victim's family, who reside in Poland, have expressed a desire to be present for the sentence hearing and in those circumstances he asked for a date of May 18th next.

Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the matter until then and directed a victim impact report on the next date. She remanded Rozpeda in custody until May 18th.

Berry said that a nolle prosequi will be entered on count one at the conclusion of the sentence, meaning that the State will not be proceeding with the charge of murder against the defendant.