A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of his Irish girlfriend at a New York bar.
Marcin Pieciak, 36, was arraigned in his hospital bed via video link, charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Longford native Sarah McNally, 41.
Tragic Sarah was killed at The Céilí House pub where she worked on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, Queens, at around 6.30pm on Saturday.
Pieciak was charged with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Queens Criminal Court Judge Julieta Lozano ordered the defendant to return to court on April 5.
He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
The suspect will appear back in court tomorrow.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “This was an attack that shocked the community. It was unprovoked and a devastating loss for the family.
“We are using every resource to make sure there is accountability.”
Emotional tributes were paid to Sarah as news of the shocking tragedy continued to spread earlier this week.
Family devastated
Her aunt, Mary McNally, told how their family has been devastated by the killing.
She posted online: “Rest in peace my beautiful niece Sarah, we are heartbroken, love you always.”
Sarah’s other aunt, Margaret Gaffey, added: “My beautiful niece was taken too soon. Love you.”
Another grieving pal remembered Sarah as a “lovely soul”, while a fourth friend told how she was a “beautiful, bubbly girl”.
Medically fit
It was previously reported how the accused man would be brought to court once he is declared medically fit to do so.
Mr Pieciak was arrested and charged at 12.38pm local time on Monday, the New York Police Department confirmed to The Irish Sun.
Queens Criminal Courthouse said Pieciak, believed to originally be from Poland, had received his charge papers but remained in hospital.
He is is alleged to have stormed into the New York bar armed with two knives and stabbed innocent Sarah, a former civil servant with the Irish Prison Service.
Wounded in neck
It is understood that she was wounded in the neck before she was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital where she was later declared dead.
Pieciak is said to have suffered self-inflicted wounds after turning his knives on himself and had to be tasered by cops.
One source said that while Pieciak has serious injuries, it appears he will live given the fact medics gave the go-ahead for cops to charge him.
The NYPD said that they have been in contact with Sarah’s family.
Her mum, Dorrie, is understood to have left Ireland for the US.
Sarah is believed to have lived in the Big Apple for around ten years and worked at The Céilí House for less than 12 months.