Husband charged with murder as family speak of unbearable loss
ACCUSED SAT WITH HEAD BOWED FOR THE BRIEF DISTRICT COURT HEARING
FOR the most part of the brief hearing at Sligo District Court last Thursday morning, Rafal Karaczyn sat with his head bowed, sometimes covered with his hands.
Just a couple of feet away sat his sister in law, Magdalena McMorrow and another relative who, understandably were quite emotional.
It was the first case to be called and evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Sergeant Cathal Duffy.
He told Judge Kevin Kilrane (pictured below arriving at the courthouse)that on May 2nd at 6.58pm he arrested the accused for the purpose of charge at Ballymote Garda Station. At 7.43pm he charged the accused with the murder of his wife, Natalia (30) at their home at 90 Crozon Park on the previous Sunday, April 29 th.
The accused, who was represented by Mr Keith O’Grady BL instructed by Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor made no reply when the charge was put to him.
Sgt Duffy agreed with Mr O’Grady that the accused had been arrested on Sunday night and was interviewed on Monday during the day and at night time before being released on Tuesday morning.
It was further agreed by the Sergeant that the accused returned voluntarily three hours later and made certain matters known to the Gardaí which resulted in the body of Mrs Karaczyn, his wife, being found.
Mr O’Grady requested that the accused be accused be placed on suicide watch and said that the deceased’s family members wanted it to be known that they were in court in support of him. They were also supportive of the request that he be placed on a suicide watch in custody.
Sgt Duffy said the Gardaí took action in this regard on the night before the court appearance. Judge Kilrane remanded the accused in custody to appear at a sitting of Harristown District Court located on the grounds of Castlerea Prison on Friday morning last.
He directed that the accused be placed on suicide watch by the authorities.
Ms Spellman made an application for free legal aid saying the accused was of limited means. A certificate was granted by the Judge which also covers junior counsel.