?I?m sorry for trying to murder my wife?

A father of one has apologised to his wife for attempting to murder her by hitting her on her head with a hammer on her birthday while she slept.

Andrzej Benko, aged 42, of Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin, had admitted hitting Joanna Benko?s head with a lump hammer at least three times. However, he had pleaded not guilty to her attempted murder at that address on July 5, 2010.

However last month, the jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilty.

Ms Benko is confined to a wheelchair most of the time as a result of her injuries, the Central Criminal Court heard. Now 35, she also has communication difficulties, will depend on full-time care for the rest of her life, and is no longer able to look after her son.

Yesterday, Benko wept while he addressed the court to apologise to his wife and her family who were present for the hearing.

?I want to apologise to my wife and child and also her family and I?m so sorry and I never was looking for reason. I know nobody has right to hurt anybody and I understand how strong my wife is traumatised and her family,? he said.

Detective Garda Patrick Traynor told Dominic McGinn, prosecuting, that Benko had no previous convictions.

Benko arrived to Blanchardstown Garda Station on July 5, 2010, and said he had killed his wife.

On arrival, emergency services found Ms Benko sustained significant injuries to her head, the court heard. There were at least three injuries to her head, which affected her mental function and fundamentally changed her life.

She has improved her mobility but is still unable to care for herself or her child.

The court heard that the couple had been having marital problems, with Benko telling garda? that his wife had been taking and dealing drugs and spending all his money.

Despite their difficulties, Benko bought 10 red roses and flowers on the morning of her 32nd birthday, and was planning to take her out to dinner that evening.

However he said she was in a deep sleep and didn?t wake on his return. He saw a lump hammer while looking for a vase, and hit her with it three times.

Benko told garda? that he intended to kill his wife that morning.

?When I was going upstairs, I intended to kill her. Of course I?m guilty.?

He said his wife?s drug taking had made his and their 3-year-old son?s life hell, adding that the toddler had found a bag of her ecstasy tablets. ?I was afraid she would kill my son by him finding drugs,? he said.

He was asked if he decided to kill his wife to protect their son. ?You could say that,? he replied.

Mr McGinn read victim impact reports on behalf of Ms Benko?s brother Peter Kaniecny and mother Malgorzata.

Her mother said she had given up her entire life to look after her daughter after the attack and was told by a doctor that treated her that she had been hit ?many more? than three times.

Her brother said he was ?completely distraught? when he heard what happened to her and said his life had been ?turned upside down?.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded Benko in custody and will hand down sentence on Friday.