By Olivia Kelleher
A Polish man who was killed by a machete-wielding gang of masked men at his home in Cork died of haemorrhage and shock due to multiple blows with a sharp weapon associated with a traumatic brain injury, his inquest has heard.
Mikolaj Wilk (aged 35) received extensive wounds to his body when he was set upon by the men at his home in Ballincollig, Co. Cork, on June 20 last.
At his inquest Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster said the body was identified to her as that of Mr Wilk of Bridge House, Maglin, Co Cork. After she gave the cause of death the inquest was adjourned for mention until April 4, 2019.
Det. Inspector Vincent O'Sullivan indicated that several lines of investigation are being pursued in relation to the death.
The GRA has previously confirmed that 15 gardaí have received counselling since they saw the murder scene.
A GoFundMe page set up for Elzbieta Wilk, the widow of the deceased, and the couple's children has raised thousands of euro. The family have since returned to Poland.
In late June nine vehicles and seven properties in Cork were searched as part of the probe into the murder of Mr Wilk.
Phones and computers were also seized. No arrests have been made in relation to the murder.
Mrs Wilk had to undergo tendon surgery after one of her hands was cut by a machete during the attack. Three of her fingers were almost severed in the attack.
Mikolaj Wilk was a popular local gardener who ran his own firm, H&S Services, having been based in Ireland for over a decade.
Gardaí at the crime scene in June. Pic: Denis Minihane
Two remembrance masses have been held since his death at the St Augustine's Church in Cork city centre and in the Church of St Mary and St John.
It is understood the funeral of the deceased was held in his native Poland.
Mr Wilk grew up in Poznan in Poland and was not known either to gardaí or to police in his own country. There is no known motive for the murder.
Afterwards, Gardaí said that a number of people had come forward with information and they appealed to anyone who has any information to come forward.
Speaking at Gurranabraher Garda Station today, Superintendent Colm O Sullivan said: "This was an incident that shocked the Ballincollig and wider communities.
"Shortly after 3am, a number of men with weapons went into the Wilk family home and murdered Mikolaj and assaulted his partner. At approximately 4.20 am, Cork County Fire Service responded to a car on fire at Iniskenny, Ballinora, Waterfall.
"This car, a dark colour BMW 3 series, was found within 6km from the Wilk home at Bridge House, Maglin, Ballincollig. I would appeal to anyone who has any information, who may have seen this BMW around the Maglin, Ballincollig, Ballinora and Waterfall areas between 2am and 5am on the 10th June 2018, to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021- 4946200, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."
