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An alleged human trafficking victim who killed an eight-foot-tall Belarusian has been jailed for six years with the last 12 months suspended.
Lithuanian Arnoldas Ivanauskas (33), based in The Parklands, Tralee, Co Kerry, was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter earlier this year for killing 24-year-old Dmitry Hrynkevich. In the garda interviews, the defendant said that a second man, who was not in court, attacked Mr. Hrynkevich and that he “joined in”, hitting the deceased at least once on the side of the head.
In sentencing Ivanauskas in the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, Judge Michael MacGrath pointed to the difficulties the defendant had in his life, including a report suggesting he may have been a victim of human trafficking.
Judge MacGrath also described Mr. Hrynkevich’s death as “extremely tragic, especially for his mother.” In a court statement, Elena Moram described her son’s struggles with Marfan syndrome, which caused him to have elongated limbs and heart problems. He grew up “in pain, outcast, chosen by a minority” for his height, he said, adding that some viewed him as a “weirdo.”
Despite his troubles, his mother said he showed “courage, endurance and kindness” and was well liked for his humor and generosity.
Judge MacGrath said he had to take into account that the deceased’s medical problems, including a compromised heart, contributed to his death and that the jury had decided that the defendant did not intend to kill or cause serious injury when he struck the deceased. He said the evidence showed that the second person, who is not in court, was the main assailant and instigator of the assault.
Furthermore, he noted that while the assault was not planned, the defendant did not withdraw once it began. He said the defendant was in the medium guilty range and set the main sentence at seven years. Taking into account mitigating factors, including his good record in prison, he reduced it to six years and suspended the final year on the condition that he be posted on good behavior bail for two years after his release from prison.
The judge pointed out that the accused had a troubled past and that he had been identified as a “potential victim of human trafficking” by Gardaí who worked in that area. It noted that victims of human trafficking face circumstances beyond their control and are often subjected to violence.
The judge said Ivanauskas had expressed remorse in a letter to the court in which he said that “it was never his intention to hurt or kill.” He said the murder had changed his life forever and that he wishes he could turn back time. In prison he is an improved prisoner with a clean record and had taken exit certificate exams.
The defendant’s previous convictions, Judge MacGrath said, were of little consequence.
The sentence dates back to November 2018, when he was arrested for the first time.
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