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Jury Finds Tomas Cypas Guilty of Murder in Lucan Beating

A 10–2 verdict followed nearly seven hours of deliberation, with a mandatory life sentence to be imposed on March 23.

Overview

  • The 35-year-old Lithuanian national was convicted of murdering his 49-year-old friend, Juris Kokenbergs, after a drunken row at Old Bridge Park in Lucan in October 2024.
  • Cypas admitted repeatedly punching Kokenbergs after lewd sexual remarks about his mother, while claiming he acted in self-defence and lacked intent to kill.
  • Prosecutors argued the victim was so intoxicated he could barely sit or walk and characterized the assault as an appalling volley of violence that included alleged head stamping.
  • Evidence included bloodstains matching the victim on Cypas’s runner and expert testimony that punching alone could have caused the fatal brain injuries.
  • Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Cypas for victim impact statements before sentencing on March 23, when the mandatory life term for murder is due to be handed down.