Cork machete murder: Gardaí submit file to DPP on the killing of Mikolaj Wilk

Mikolaj Wilk was attacked in front of his wife, Elzbieta, by a gang of masked men at their home near Ballincollig Co Cork in 2018

Elzbieta and the late Mikolaj Wilk. An Garda Síochána have conducted a 'mammoth' investigation into the murder of 35-year-old Mikolaj Wilk at the couple's home. File picture

Gardaí investigating the brutal murder of a man who was hacked to death by a gang in Cork almost seven years ago have submitted a massive file on the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Sergeant Fergus Twomey told Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn that gardaí have conducted a "mammoth" investigation into the murder of Polish man, Mikolaj Wilk, 35, in his rented home near Ballincollig, west of Cork city, in June 2018, as the adjourned inquest into the death was in for mention.

It was opened on November 1, 2018 to hear evidence of identification and cause of death, and has been adjourned for mention 14 times over the years as the active garda investigation continued.

“This was a mammoth investigation with thousands of tasks and inquiries both within the state and in European countries with assistance from other police forces and a comprehensive investigation file has been forwarded to the DPP seeking directions," Sgt Twomey said.

Mr Comyn said while the case dates back to 2018, it was clear there has been a lot of work done by the gardaí involved and he was satisfied to further adjourn the hearing until November.

St Augustine's Church, Washington St, Cork, was packed for a Mass celebrated by Polish chaplain Fr Pitor Galus in June 2018 for the Wilk family. file picture: David Keane 

Mr Wilk was attacked in front of his wife, Elzbieta, by a gang of up to five masked men armed with machetes, at their home in Maglin, just outside Ballincollig, in the early hours of June 10, 2018.

Elzbieta suffered serious injuries to her face, neck and hands as she tried to protect her husband.

Their two young children, who were in the house at the time, were not physically injured.

A woman who was renting a room in the house fled through a rear window and raised the alarm with neighbours.

Gardaí and emergency services rushed to the scene and found Mr Wilk in critical condition, with senior gardaí describing the scene and level of violence inflicted as one of the worst they had encountered.

Mr Wilk was rushed to Cork University Hospital, but died two hours later his injuries.

Gardaí launched a massive investigation and over the coming months arrested six suspects, two Poles, two Latvians, and an Irish man and woman, all in their 30s and all with addresses at the time in Cork city.

They were all released with without charge pending a file to the DPP. 

Elzbieta, who returned to Poland with her children in June 2018, has been kept up to date on the investigation.