A man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the manslaughter of Irish woman Sarah McNally at a bar in Queens in New York last year.
Marcin Pieciak had been charged with murder, but agreed to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter last month.
In court, 38-year-old Pieciak reaffirmed his guilt and said he accepted the sentence.
He said he had no explanation for his actions, and said he thought about Ms McNally every day and what he had done.
Addressing her family in Ireland, Pieciak said: “I know it’s too soon now, but I hope one day for forgiveness.”
Sarah McNally, from Longford, was working in the Ceili House Bar in Maspeth, in the borough of Queens.
The 41-year-old had been in a relationship with Marcin Pieciak but had ended the relationship and told him she was returning to Ireland.
Marcin Pieciak appeared in court in Queens to receive his prison sentence
On 20 March 2024, Pieciak went to the Ceili House bar and attacked Ms McNally, who was working behind the bar at the time.
Pieciak stabbed her 19 times causing severe injury to her neck, back and chest. She suffered damage to her carotid artery and her spine was severed.
Pieciak attempted to stab himself with a second blade he had in his possession but was stopped by patrons in the pub who detained him until police arrived.
In court today, the prosecutor said the video of the attack was one of the most shocking things he had ever seen.
Pieciak reaffirmed his guilt and said he accepted the sentence, but said he had no answers for Ms McNally’s family.
Her family were not present in court and the prosecutor read out a victim-impact statement on their behalf.
Judge Ushir Pandit-Durant agreed with the prosecutor that the video of Pieciak’s attack on Ms McNally was one of the most shocking things she has seen in her years on the bench and as an assistant DA in the city.
Judge Pandit-Durant pronounced the agreed sentence of 24 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision.