GARDAI have confirmed that Polish national Bogdan Michalkiawicz was murdered.
The 41-year-old man who came to start a new life in Letterkenny in 2005 and was let down for a job was found battered to death on Wednesday.
At a press conference at Letterkenny Garda Station today, Inspector Michael Harrison said: “It has been confirmed he suffered a brutal death and this case has been upgraded to a murder investigation.
“It would be no exaggeration to say that his death was horrific.”
Mr Michalkiawicz was part of a group of workers who found themselves stranded when they arrived in Ireland from Poland in 2005.
The men arrived here with the promise of three months’ work but found themselves stranded without jobs or money.
The 13 Polish and four Latvian men, ranging in age from 18 to 54, had travelled to Letterkenny after accepting an offer of work on a building site.
But after a week they were told that there was no more work.
The dead man’s brother Tomasz found him yesterday at 11am at Westside Apartments. Bogdan had last been seen 48 hours earlier around lunchtime on Monday.
Garda Inspector Harrison asked anyone who can help the case to call 07491 67100.
He said at the press conference: “Bogden was last seen outside his apartment at 15 Westside, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny at lunchtime on Monday 13th May.
“Westside is location between Lower Main Street and Pearse Road. We believe he was in the vicinity of his apartment all weekend. His body was found on Wednesday morning at 11am. It is now being confirmed by the Assistant State Pathologist that Bogden Michalkiawich suffered a brutal death and this is now being upgraded to a murder investigation.
“The reason why we are here is to appeal for information from members of the public, both Irish and Non National communities living in Letterkenny to contact Gardai on any unusual or suspicious activity they may have seen or heard in the apartment block at Westside or the surrounding area over the weekend 10th – 13th May.
“Anyone with information can make contact with the Gardai at Letterkenny 074 9167100 or alternatively on the Garda Confidential number by calling 1800 666 111 or they can simply call in person to Letterkenny Garda Station.”