Jonathan Hennessy (42) appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court charged with the murder of Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi (31) just hours before St Patrick’s Day.
Hennessy of Dr Patrick O’Sullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, Co Cork is charged with the murder of Mr Zhyvytskyi contrary to Common Law.
The charge alleged that, on March 16, 2026, at Knapp’s Square, Cork he did murder Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi.
Detective Garda Kevin Motherway of Watercourse Road Garda Station offered evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
He said that Hennessy made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution.
The charge was brought at 4.25pm on Thursday at Mayfield Garda Station in Cork.
Sgt John Dineen said that it was alleged that Mr Zhyvytskyi suffered a stab wound to the chest during an altercation in Knapp’s Square in Cork city at 7.50pm on March 16.
He said that victim managed to make his way to his nearby home where he was later pronounced dead.
Mr Zhyvytskyi was formally pronounced dead by a local doctor at 8.35pm on Monday evening.
As the charge involved is murder, bail cannot be dealt with by the district court. Any bail application has to be brought before the High Court.
Judge Mary Dorgan granted free legal aid after she was informed that the accused is in receipt of disability allowance.
Defence solicitor Eddie Burke asked that his client receive medical attention in Cork Prison.
Hennessy – who appeared in court wearing a black top and white pants – did not speak during the brief hearing.
He was remanded in custody to appear again by video link before Cork District Court on March 25.
Judge Dorgan directed that he receive appropriate medical assessment and assistance while on remand in custody.
Mr Zhyvytskyi moved to Ireland from his native Ukraine when he was a young man.
The married father lived in Camden Court apartments in Carroll’s Quay in Cork city with his wife and infant child.
It is understood that he went out to buy food that evening and then came back home injured.
Mr Zhyvytskyi collapsed in front of his wife and she raised the alarm.
The emergency services raced to the scene but despite desperate attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead.