Ireland Case No. 7255Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022
Ashling Murphy trial hears DNA under fingernails matched accused
Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old woman and schoolteacher and musician, was killed while out for a run at the canal in Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 12 January 2022, and died from 11 stab wounds to her neck. Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovakian national of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, was arrested on 18 January 2022 and is accused of her murder. He has pleaded not guilty through an interpreter, and at the Central Criminal Court the jury heard forensic evidence linking DNA and a fingerprint to him. As of the 27 October 2023 reports, the trial was continuing, with forensic DNA evidence given on day 10, and no verdict was reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Oct
10 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old woman and schoolteacher and musician, was killed while out for a run.
- Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovakian national of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is accused of murdering her.
- Where
- She was killed on Grand Canal Way at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, at the canal.
- When
- She was killed on 12 January 2022, in the afternoon, and her Fitbit recorded her heartbeat stopping at about 3:30pm.
- Cause
- The defence accepted that she died from 11 stab wounds to her neck.
- Investigation
- A witness said Puska asked for a lift home on the night of 12 January 2022, looking wet and scratched, and he said he had been stabbed in Blanchardstown.
- Paramedics found Puska with stab injuries and scratches on 13 January 2022, and a garda saw cuts on his hands and forehead at hospital.
- Puska was arrested on Monday 18 January 2022.
- A fingerprint under the bike saddle and DNA from the handlebars matched Puska, with experts putting the chance of a wrong match at one in a billion, and a male DNA profile from under the victim's fingernails matched two samples from Puska, with a one in 14,000 chance of an unrelated male.
- Gardaí and a translator said Puska made admissions to murder through an interpreter at St James's Hospital and in phone calls on 14 January 2022, though a garda agreed his note was not read back to Puska and did not include everything he said.
- A garda told Puska he was a person of interest, but the senior investigating officer's notes referred to him as a suspect offender.
- Other details
- A witness said a man followed her in Tullamore, and the defence said Puska was not following her but had only looked at her.
- Related headlines on the article pages refer to a conviction and an appeal, but the trial reports give no verdict.
- Charges
- Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy through an interpreter.
- In court
- The trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women at the Central Criminal Court and was continuing on day 10 when forensic DNA evidence was given.
82 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJozef Puska has denied murdering Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA witness told the court it appeared the accused was following her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPuska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old schoolteacher and musician. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAshling Murphy was killed at the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe trial is continuing at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing happened at Cappincur, Tullamore. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing happened at the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAshling Murphy was killed at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place at Cappincur, Tullamore. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused lives at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAshling Murphy was killed on Grand Canal Way in Cappincur, Tullamore. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAshling Murphy was killed on 12 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenA witness says she began her walk in Tullamore at about 2pm on January 12th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing happened on 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAshling Murphy was killed on 12 January 2022 while out for a run. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMs Murphy was killed on January 12th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAshling Murphy was killed on January 12, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred on 12 January 2022 at Cappincur, Tullamore. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing happened on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe defence accepted Ashling Murphy died from 11 stab wounds to her neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeAshling Murphy died as a result of 11 stab wounds to her neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeMs Murphy died from 11 stab wounds to her neck. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA detective used Fitbit data linked to the victim to plot her route along the canal on 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda saw a large number of cuts on Puska's hands and forehead at hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda from the cyber crime bureau examined and presented data from Ms Murphy's Fitbit device. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDet Garda Fergus Hogan gave evidence that Jozef Puska volunteered information to him in English on the evening of 14 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDet Garda Fergus Hogan said Mr Puska volunteered information to him in English at St James’ Hospital on the evening of 14 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSgt Jennings said Mr Puska said through an interpreter: "I did it, I murdered. I am the murderer". (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA translator said Puska made a spontaneous confession in phone calls with gardaí on 14 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA fingerprint found under the bike saddle was matched to Puska. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA forensic expert said there was a one in a billion chance that the fingerprints, DNA and blood samples were not Puska's. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA forensic scientist said a full DNA profile from the bicycle handlebars matched two other profiles of Puska. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe chance the DNA profile belonged to someone else was one in a billion. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA translator said Puska made a confession in St James's Hospital on 14 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda told Puska he was not a suspect but a person of interest. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn identity parade on 13 January 2022 included nine men matching a witness's description. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA male DNA profile from under Murphy's fingernails matched profiles from two samples taken from Puska. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe expert said there was a one in 14,000 chance the sample came from an unrelated male. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe court heard there was no suggestion that any male relative of Puska had contact with Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationPuska was arrested on Monday, 18 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeJozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargePuska is accused of murdering Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial was on its sixth day when a witness gave evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was on its seventh day. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial was set to continue that afternoon. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtWednesday was the seventh day of the trial of Jozef Puska. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was in its seventh day when this evidence was heard, and it continues on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe article reports on the ninth day of Mr Puska's trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe article reports the ninth day of Puska's trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMichael Bowman SC cross-examined the witness for the defence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPuska pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy through an interpreter. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was set to continue on the following Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPuska denies the charge and is on trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA forensic DNA specialist gave evidence on day 10 of the trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe defence said Mr Puska was not following the witness but had looked at her. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherParamedics found Mr Puska with stab injuries and scratches on January 13, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA witness said she saw a man acting strangely near a recycling plant in Tullamore hours after Ms Murphy was killed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherParamedics were told on 13 January 2022 that someone had been stabbed at an address in Crumlin. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA witness told the court Puska called to his home in Tullamore around 9pm on the night of 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska told gardaí he was set upon by two men after getting out of a taxi. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHer Fitbit recorded her heartbeat stopping at about 3:30pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA witness said Puska asked for a lift home to Mucklagh on the night of 12 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe witness said the accused was wet and scratched in the face and the scratches were bleeding. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherJozef Puska said he had been stabbed in the stomach in Blanchardstown on the night of 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJozef Puska allegedly told gardaí in hospital, through an interpreter, that he had murdered. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Puska was admitted to St James Hospital in Dublin after alleging he was stabbed in Blanchardstown on the night of 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSgt Jennings agreed his note of Mr Puska's admissions was not read over to him and did not include all he said. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA translator told the court that Mr Puska sounded desperate during a phone call. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe interpreter said Mr Puska confessed by saying he had killed Ms Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Puska asked whether he was a suspect when a garda arrived at the hospital with a warrant for his belongings. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe trial is continuing. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe translator said Puska made a spontaneous confession to the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe translator quoted Puska as saying he killed her but did not intend to. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPuska was admitted to St James's Hospital on 13 January 2022 after saying he had been stabbed in Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska asked the translator to tell gardaí that he killed Murphy but did not intend it. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe translator described Puska as in very low spirits and desperate after the confession. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska is a Slovakian national with an address in Mucklagh, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAshling Murphy was a 23-year-old teacher. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe senior investigating officer referred to Puska as a suspect offender in his notes, and said he would not use the term person of interest. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial: DNA under her fingernails matched samples from accused
Reports forensic DNA evidence from day 10 of the trial, including the match statistic and the senior investigating officer's comments on the suspect label used in his notes.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, male, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puska - 26 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial: Accused in ‘very low spirits, even desperate’ after making ‘confession’ to murder
Court report from the continuing Central Criminal Court trial, covering the translator's evidence about the alleged confession, DNA evidence, a identity parade and hospital events. Puska is described as pleading not guilty and the trial was continuing.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovak, named, non-irishJozef Puska - 26 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial: 'One in a billion' chance samples not Puska's, court told
Reports the ninth day of the trial, including translator testimony about phone calls on 14 January 2022, a claimed confession, and forensic evidence (fingerprint, DNA and blood) linking Puska to the bike and samples. Puska has pleaded not guilty.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 26 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial hears Jozef Puska sounded 'desperate'
Reports day nine of the trial, including an interpreter's account of two phone calls on 14 January 2022 in which Mr Puska allegedly confessed. The article gives no verdict.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 25 Oct2023Man accused of killing Ashling Murphy told garda ‘I am the murderer’, trial hears
Trial day seven. Gardaí Fergus Hogan, Brian Jennings and Pamela Nugent gave evidence of admissions made at St James's Hospital on 14 January 2022. Under cross-examination, Sgt Jennings agreed his note was not read back to Mr Puska and did not include everything he said.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovak, named, non-irishJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 25 Oct2023Man accused of killing Ashling Murphy told garda ‘I am the murderer’, trial hears
Seventh day of the trial. Two gardaí and a detective garda gave evidence about the alleged admissions made by the accused in St James's Hospital on 14 January 2022. The accused has pleaded not guilty and the trial continues.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 24 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial hears how her Fitbit recorded her heartbeat stopping
Adds the trial's seventh-day evidence: Garda analysis of Ms Murphy's Fitbit data and testimony from a witness who said Puska asked for a lift home on the night of the killing, looking wet and scratched.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 24 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial: Murder accused had scratched face and ‘did not want to talk too much’ when he called to friend’s home, court told
Reports evidence given at the continuing trial: a witness's account of Puska calling to his home, Fitbit data on the victim's route, and a garda account of cuts on Puska's hands and forehead at hospital.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 23 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial: Woman says man was following her ‘for quite a bit of time’ on day of killing
Trial report covering Monday's evidence from a woman who said she was followed in Tullamore, paramedics who attended a stabbing in Crumlin on 13 January 2022, and a witness who saw a man in Tullamore that evening. Adds the defence's acceptance of the cause of death and the jury composition.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovak, named, non-irishJozef Puska - 23 Oct2023Ashling Murphy trial hears murder-accused Jozef Puska denies following a woman
Reports the sixth day of the murder trial, including a witness who said a man followed and stared at her, the defence denial, paramedic evidence of Mr Puska's stab wounds, and witnesses who saw a man acting strangely near a recycling plant in Tullamore.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy