Man died from blood loss and shock after communion-party stabbing - inquest

An inquest has found that a Polish man living in Tralee, Co Kerry died from hemorrhaging and shock due to multiple stab wounds.

Thirty-two-year-old Michal Skotak from Racecourse Lawn in Tralee was stabbed three times on May 16, 2009 by 29-year-old Michal Kurowski during a row at a communion party.

Mr Kurowski is serving a six-year sentence for manslaughter.

At the inquest, evidence was given by the late Mr Skotak's estranged wife and by Mr Kurowski, who said he stabbed Mr Skotak in self defense.

Darius Skotak, a cousin of the deceased, also gave evidence of having driven Michael Kuroski to Kerry General Hospital on the day of the incident.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster told the inquest that Mr Kuroski had received three stab wounds to the thorax and abdomen and that all three stab wounds had penetrated the liver.

The cause of death was found to be hemorrhaging and shock due to multiple stab wounds in accordance with the verdict of manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court which sat in Tralee in April last year.

Coroner, Helen Lucey extended her sympathies to the relatives of Michal Skotak on his tragic death.