Fundraiser launched to repatriate man found dead inside car crashed in Westmeath

A fundraiser has been launched to repatriate the remains of a man found dead in a crashed car in Westmeath, back to his home to Poland.

Marcin Nowosielski, aged 47, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, June 30. His body was discovered at the wheel of his black Nissan Almera around 6:40pm on Tuesday.

The vehicle had left the road and entered a ditch at the side of the R395 at Teevrevagh, Castlepollard. Gardaí and emergency services were alerted and Mr Nowosielski was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out in the coming days.

It is currently unclear exactly when the car left the road, but gardai believe it may have been there for a number of days before being discovered.

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Friends of Mr Nowosielski have paid tribute, saying he “always had a smile on his face”. They have launched a fundraiser to support the effort to bring his body back home to his native Czestochowa in Poland.

His close friend Ollie said: “Marcin was a much loved friend who has been living in Ireland for the last 13yrs and working locally in this time, he was a massive football fan supporting his local Rakow Częstochowa, Liverpool and big follower of his national team Poland. He loved socialising playing pool and darts and always had a smile on his face.

“Marcin was an only child and his grandmother brought him up as his mother passed away when he was very young. We are looking for some support in getting Marcin home to his family in Częstochowa. Any help would be much appreciated thanks.”

• As of this morning, the fundraiser has raised €1,005 of its €3,000 goal. Those wishing to contribute can do so here.

Local councillor Alfie Devine said: “Marcin was well known in the town. He lived here a long time. He worked locally and had lots of friends locally. Everyone is very shocked.”

Meanwhile, gardai are appealing for anyone with information on the movements of Mr Nowosielski or his car to contact them. A Garda spokesman said: “On 2nd July 2024, at approximately 6:40 pm, Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a vehicle found in a ditch on the roadside of the R395 at Teevrevagh, Castlepollard. Upon examination of the vehicle, a male, Marcin Nowosielski, 47 years old, was discovered deceased in the driver’s seat. A post-mortem will be conducted on the deceased.

“It is currently unclear exactly when the car left the road, but it is believed to have occurred in the previous days. The last sighting of Marcin Nowosielski was in the early hours of Sunday, 30th June 2024.

“Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information on the movements of Marcin Nowosielski or his car, a black Nissan Almera with registration 02 CE 3568, since the early hours of 30th June 2024, to come forward.

“Gardaí are also appealing to any road users who were on the R395 at Teevrevagh, Castlepollard, between the early hours of Sunday, 30th June, and Tuesday, 2nd July, to contact Mullingar Garda Station on 044 938 4000.

“Anyone with information on any of these incidents can also contact the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

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