Ireland Defence concludes evidence in murder trial of Jozef Puska
Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old woman, was killed on 12 January 2022 at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old man, has pleaded not guilty to her murder, and the prosecution alleges he confessed to gardaí at St James' Hospital on the evening of 14 January 2022. The trial is before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury at the Central Criminal Court, where in October 2023 a pharmacology professor testified that drugs given to Puska would not have affected his behaviour. On 6 November 2023 the defence closed its evidence, with a defence expert saying Puska may not have been fit to be interviewed, and the case moved to closing speeches, with no verdict reached yet.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court31 Oct
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old man, is on trial for the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old woman.
- Where
- The killing took place at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
- When
- The killing took place on 12 January 2022.
- Investigation
- The prosecution alleges Puska confessed to the murder to gardaí at St James' Hospital on the evening of 14 January 2022, while he was in a hospital bed.
- A defence witness said he had concerns about the reliability of Puska's engagement with gardaí on the evening of 14 January 2022.
- Charges
- Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy.
- In court
- The trial is before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women at the Central Criminal Court.
- The defence concluded its evidence on 6 November 2023.
- The judge told the jurors they had now heard all the evidence in the case.
- One report says the judge told the jury to return the next day to hear the prosecution's final two witnesses, while another says closing speeches would be heard the next day, with deliberations expected to begin on Wednesday.
- No verdict has been reached, and Puska is on trial, not convicted.
- Other details
- Professor Michael Ryan, a professor of pharmacology, told the court that the oxycodone and other drugs given to Puska would have had no impact on his behaviour or ability to communicate.
- Dr Johann Grundlingh, a recently retired NHS consultant in emergency and intensive care medicine, told the court that Puska may not have been fit to be interviewed and that there were no records he was confused or disorientated.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ashling Murphy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe killing took place in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing took place on 12 January 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationPuska confessed to the murder to gardaí at St James' Hospital on the evening of 14 January 2022. (rte.ie)
- chargeJozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge told the jury to return the next day to hear the prosecution's final two witnesses. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe defence has concluded its evidence in the trial of Jozef Puska. (rte.ie)
- courtThe final defence witness was a recently retired NHS consultant in emergency and intensive care medicine. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury will hear closing speeches from both sides and is expected to begin considering its verdict after the judge's charge on Wednesday. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge told the jurors they had now heard all the evidence in the case. (rte.ie)
- otherA professor of pharmacology told the Central Criminal Court that drugs given to Puska would have had no impact on his behaviour or ability to communicate. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherProf Ryan said the drugs given to Puska would have had no influence on his behaviour. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe prosecution alleges Puska admitted the murder while in a hospital bed in St James's. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherDrugs administered to Jozef Puska had no impact on his behaviour before alleged admissions. (extra.ie)
- otherThe defence witness said he had concern about the reliability of Puska's engagement with gardaí on the evening of 14 January. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Nov2023Defence concludes evidence in trial of Jozef Puska
Reports that the defence has closed its evidence, that a defence expert said Puska may not have been fit to be interviewed, and that the jury is due to hear closing speeches and begin deliberating. It does not give a verdict.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska - 31 Oct2023Drugs Administered To Jozef Puska Had 'No Impact On His Behaviour' Before Alleged Admissions
Only the headline is available; the article text is missing from the source. It appears to concern the Puska murder case, but the body does not confirm this.
accused, Jozef Puska, namedJozef Puska - 31 Oct2023Medication would not have made Jozef Puska confess - expert tells Ashling Murphy murder trial
Reports mid-trial evidence from a pharmacology expert, Prof Michael Ryan, on oxycodone and other drugs given to Puska before he allegedly confessed. Adds the prosecution's account of the alleged admissions and the jury composition. Puska is still on trial, not convicted.
victim, Ashling Murphy, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, 33, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska