Men Sentenced for Manslaughter in 1999 Cold Case of Irma Palasics
By Editor • August 28, 2026 • 1 min read
In a long-awaited resolution to a tragic cold case, Joseph Vekony and Steve Fabriczy have been sentenced to significant prison terms for their roles in the 1999 manslaughter of Irma Palasics. The ACT Supreme Court handed down sentences of 20 years for Vekony and 16 years and six months for Fabriczy, both now in their 70s.
The brutal home invasion in Canberra left 72-year-old Irma dead and her husband Gregor injured. The men were linked to the crime through DNA evidence found on items in the couple's fridge. Their arrest followed an undercover sting operation employing the controversial 'Mr Big' technique.
During the sentencing, Justice David Mossop highlighted the pair's shared culpability, driven by greed as they stole $30,000 from the Palasics's home. He noted Vekony's terminal liver cancer diagnosis, implying he might not serve his full sentence. The jury, after an eight-week trial, convicted both men of manslaughter, rejecting murder charges despite recognizing the violence inflicted during the attack.
Following the sentencing, Mrs. Palasics's grandson expressed the family's enduring pain, describing their grief as a life sentence. The court's detailed accounts of Irma's injuries served as a stark reminder of the brutality faced by the victims during the invasion.
Source: www.abc.net.au
