Sarah McNally, 41, was murdered by Marcin Pieciak in Queens, New York on the evening of March 30, 2024.RIP.ie
Marcin Pieciak, who pleaded guilty last month to the March 2024 manslaughter of Co Longford woman Sarah McNally, was sentenced to 24 years in prison and five years' post-release supervision on Friday, November 21.
Pieciak reaffirmed his guilt and said he accepted the sentence while in court on Friday, RTÉ News reports.
He said he had no explanation for his actions, and said he thought about McNally every day and what he had done.
Addressing McNally's family in Ireland, Pieciak said: "I know it's too soon now, but I hope one day for forgiveness."
McNally's family was not present in court, but the prosecutor read out a victim-impact statement on their behalf.
In court, Judge Ushir Pandit-Durant agreed with prosecutors that the footage of Pieciak's attack on 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.
Pieciak's sentencing comes about three weeks after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree for fatally stabbing McNally at The Céilí House pub in Queens on March 30, 2024.
It is understood that Pieciak and McNally had previously been in a relationship. During Pieciak's arraignment last year, the court heard that the duo's relationship "was not going well" and that McNally had been considering returning to Ireland.
Announcing that Pieciak had pleaded guilty on October 30, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: "With this guilty plea, the defendant has been held accountable for his actions.”
DA Katz said that, according to the charges, Pieciak arrived at The Céilí House Bar, located on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, Queens, at about 6:30 pm on March 30, 2024.
He walked toward McNally as she worked, went behind the bar, and stabbed her 19 times in the neck, back, and chest, causing significant wounds and bleeding.
Pieciak then cut his own throat several times with a second knife and attempted to flee, but a patron intervened and prevented him from leaving the premises.
When police arrived, Pieciak exited the premises with the two knives and brandished the weapons toward the officers. Police safely disarmed him and recovered the knives.
McNally suffered a damaged carotid artery and severed spine and was pronounced deceased at a local hospital.
McNally was laid to rest in her native Co Longford on April 8, just over a week after her shocking murder. Mourners heard that the Irish woman was "larger than life, she was someone special, a unique force to be reckoned with who was made for great things."
A month's mind Mass was held at St. Adalbert's Roman Catholic Church in Elmhurst, Queens, later in April.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe to assist McNally's family with funeral costs and related expenses has received more than 220 donations. In an update in May 2024, McNally's mother wrote that the remaining £3500 was donated to the "wonderful" Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which "helped to bring Sarah home to Ireland."
McNally's mother added: "I really don't think Sarah realized how much she was loved."