Cork man accused of murdering Ukrainian in city remanded
Jonathan Hennessy, aged 42, of 15 Dr Patrick O’Sullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, Co Cork, appeared by video link from prison on Wednesday. File picture: Larry Cummins
The 42‑year‑old man accused of murdering a Ukrainian father who died following a violent incident near his home in Cork city a fortnight ago appeared in court on Wednesday by video link from prison.
Sergeant John Kelleher said there were no DPP directions in the case yet.
Eddie Burke, defending, said it was obvious where the case was going.
Murder charges must be dealt with at the Central Criminal Court.
Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused man — Jonathan Hennessy — in custody until April 21 at Cork District Court for formal directions from the DPP.
Last week the parents of the late Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi, who had travelled from Ukraine for the funeral of their son, came to Cork District Court to view proceedings.
However, when Jonathan Hennessy, aged 42, of 15 Dr Patrick O’Sullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, Co Cork, was called, a prison officer at the video link from Cork Prison said there was a sick note stating that the accused could not appear in person.
He did attend in person for Wednesday's video link.
Detective Garda Kevin Motherway gave evidence of arresting and charging Mr Hennessy on the first day in court.
The charge stated: “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.”
When cautioned that he did not have to say anything but that whatever he might say would be taken down in writing and could be given in evidence, he made no reply to the charge.
Mr Burke was appointed to represent the accused man on free legal aid, after stating that Mr Hennessy was on disability allowance and had no other income.
Mr Burke said when the accused was first before the court, “I would ask that he would get medical attention on entering Cork Prison.”
Sgt John Dineen 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 on Monday.
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 after the fatal stabbing.
