The Two Intruders | Irma Palasics killers sentenced
episodePreviously titled “The Two Intruders | Irma Palasics’ killers sentenced” — renamed by the publisher on Sep 1, 2026
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Politicians don't usually get assassinated in Australia. I say usually because in the mid-1990s, an Australian politician became the first MP to be assassinated while still in the job. John Newman, the MP for Cabra Matter, was gunned down in the driveway of his home. Cabramata was having a big problem with heroin and drug gangs at that exact moment. The Assassins Podcast brings you the full story on YouTube, ABC Listen, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Mm. Mm.
Two men who killed Irma Pelasix in a brutal home invasion in 1999 have been sentenced, and as well as explaining how long they will spend in prison, we'll have all the details to explain how the judge made that decision. I'm Stephen Stockwell. This is the case of the two intruders.
Irma Pelazic's brutal murder rocked her family and has haunted them for 24 long years.
This wasn't the average robbery. The brutality of the attack shocked the community.
They were virtually tortured that night.
Violently assaulted before the two men ransacked
the premises and stole cash and jewelry. My grandparents were beaten and my grandmother was left to die on
the lounge room floor. We're stepping back from the case of Alan Jones today to bring you an update in the case of the two intruders. In 1999, two men broke into the home of Irma and Gregor Palacix. While searching for money hidden in the kitchen, they tied up the couple and beat them so badly that Irma died. For decades, this crime went unsolved until a DNA breakthrough and a police sting involving a fake criminal network. led to the arrest of Steve Fabrizzi and Joseph Facconi. That led to this trial where those two men were found guilty of killing Irma and now they have been sentenced. There throughout all of this, following the trial, bringing us updates on the case of the two intruders, has been veteran ABC court reporter Elizabeth Byrne.
Welcome back to the case of Liz.
Thanks, Stocky.
And as well as Elizabeth, we're also very lucky to have ABC investigative reporter James Viver joining us as well. James, welcome back. Thanks, Stockey. It has taken two and a half decades to get to this point. The family of Irma have been waiting while Steve Fabrizi and Joseph Faconi have been living their lives. Liz, how long will they be spending in prison?
Well, substantial periods. Uh the judge has sentenced Joseph Faconi to a total of twenty years jail with a non parole period of twelve years. And Steve Fabrizi has been given sixteen and a half years jail, uh, with a non parole period of eleven years. Joseph Faconi's sentence is a tad longer because remember, he wasn't just charged over this incident when Urma Palazic was killed, he was also charged and found guilty. of an attack on Irma at an earlier burglary in nineteen ninety eight.
Hm. Yeah. Um I'm looking forward to unpacking the different elements of all this because as well as uh that that you mentioned, Liz, there's also um burglary charges as well that have been included in that sentence. It has taken us a long time to get to this point though, as well, as I've mentioned. Um Liz, why why did it take so long to track down Joseph Acconi and Steve Habrizzi and and hold them accountable for these crimes?
Well, as we know, the critical evidence was the DNA found in the Pelazics fridge, uh on a milk bottle and on a water container.
What were the original crimes that led to the two intruders’ convictions?
And although they had these two discrete bits of DNA, they were never able to put a name to them until of course uh technology improved. Eventually D. Fabrizi had been in jail for something else, his DNA had been collected. And eventually a match popped up, and so they were able to identify him. But of course it wasn't enough to charge him and run a trial. They they had to find out what else had gone on. So they set up an elaborate undercover operation, in fact, a Mr. Big operation where a person is drawn in over months into a fictitious criminal group. Which he was, and eventually they told him that his DNA had turned up in a murder investigation. He made some partial confessions to them, but more importantly, he also uh identified Joseph Facconi as the other person who was there.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–3:44
2
What were the original crimes that led to the two intruders’ convictions?
3:44–12:25
3
How did DNA evidence finally identify Joseph Faconi and Steve Fabrizi?
12:25–26:43
4
What arguments did the defence lawyers use to seek reduced sentences?
26:43–35:41
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from The Case Of
12 Alan Jones | Lewd texts about journalist Kate McClymont revealed in court
11 Alan Jones | Sydney lunch allegations tested with new witness
10 Alan Jones | Two radio titans, one courtroom
09 Alan Jones | Radio ally declared 'unfavourable witness’
08 Alan Jones | What happened under the table?
07 Alan Jones | Cross examination focuses on C's texts with Jones