Four arrested in Athenry murder investigation

Gardaí in Galway tonight arrested four people in their investigation into the murder of a Polish man.

Krzysztof Ciesielski (41) lost his fight for life early today when he was pronounced dead at Galway University Hospital.

The father of a young family, he sustained severe head injuries in a vicious late-night assault at the Cullairbain estate on the Tuam Road in Athenry on May 30th. His condition was described as critical in the days immediately after the assault.

His family and members of the Polish community had kept a vigil at the hospital over the last week. It is understood he was on a life support machine and he passed away in the early hours of this morning.

Mr Ciesielski was living with his family at the Cullarbain estate and was in employment. He has been in Ireland for a number of years.

A post mortem examination which was carried out by a pathologist at Galway University Hospital revealed that he had died from injuries consistent with a severe assault.

Late today gardaí arrested four people for questioning as part of their investigation into Mr Ciesielski’s murder and detained them at two Garda stations. A man in his 40s and two male teenagers were held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, while a woman in her late 30s was also detained.

They were being held at Galway and Gort Garda stations. Gardaí are understood to be following a definite line of enquiry, but have appealed for information from anyone who was in the Cullairbaun area between 11pm and midnight on Thursday of last week to contact them at Galway Garda station, 091-538000.