Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6891Withholding information; impeding apprehension or prosecution · Co. Offaly

Five charged over alleged withholding of information in Ashling Murphy murder investigation

Ashling Murphy was killed on the afternoon of 12 January 2022 in County Offaly. Jozef Puska, her convicted murderer, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. Five people, including Puska's wife Lucia Istokova (34), were charged over alleged withholding of information or impeding prosecution in the investigation. On 20 December 2023 all five appeared before Tullamore District Court, where Judge Andrew Cody remanded them on continuing bail and sent them forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ashling Murphy was killed in County Offaly on the afternoon of 12 January 2022.
Sentence
Jozef Puska, a convicted murderer, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ashling Murphy.
Charges
  • Five people were charged over alleged withholding of information or impeding prosecution in the murder investigation.
  • Lucia Istokova, aged 34 and Puska's wife, was charged with withholding information in the investigation.
  • Two of Puska's brothers were charged with withholding information in relation to the murder investigation.
  • Two other women were charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person during the investigation.
Where
The five defendants appeared before Tullamore District Court on Wednesday afternoon, 20 December 2023.
In court
  • Judge Andrew Cody remanded all five defendants on continuing bail and sent each of them forward to the Central Criminal Court.
  • The hearing lasted about 12 minutes.
  • A Garda witness gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on each of the five defendants.
  • None of the five defendants spoke during the hearing other than to confirm their name.
  • All five defendants were represented by a solicitor and granted free legal aid.
Other details
A previous bail condition prevents publication of the addresses of the five defendants.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe wife of convicted murderer Jozef Puska has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court charged with withholding information into the investigation of the killing of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe five people appeared before Tullamore District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAshling Murphy was killed on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTwo of Puska's brothers were also charged with withholding information in relation to the murder investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTwo other women are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person during an investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Cody remanded all five defendants on continuing bail and sent each of them forward to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA Garda witness gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on each of the five defendants. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNone of the five defendants spoke during the hearing other than to confirm their name. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAll five defendants were represented by a solicitor and granted free legal aid. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA previous bail condition prevents publication of the addresses of the five defendants. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJozef Puska was sentenced to life in prison last month for the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Dec2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Wife of Jozef Puska charged over withholding information on Ashling Murphy investigation

    Court appearance at Tullamore District Court in which five defendants were charged over alleged withholding of information or impeding prosecution in the Ashling Murphy murder investigation. Reports the defendants were sent forward for trial and granted free legal aid.

    accused, Lucia Istokova, 34, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Istokovaaccused, 34, male, non-irish (judged from name)accused, 35, male, non-irish (judged from name)accused, Jozefina Grundzova, 33, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovaaccused, Viera Gazoiva, 38, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gazoiva