Ireland Case No. 7125Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022
Jozef Puska convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy in Tullamore
Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old Irish schoolteacher, was stabbed to death while out for a run on the Grand Canal at Cappincur near Tullamore, Co Offaly, on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovak man from Mucklagh, Co Offaly, was arrested on 18 January 2022 and formally charged with her murder on 19 January 2022. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court in October 2023, and on 9 November 2023 a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after about two hours of deliberation. Puska is due to be sentenced on 17 November 2023, when victim impact statements will be heard and a mandatory life sentence is to be imposed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Nov
4 reports - Convicted9 Nov
7 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old Irish schoolteacher, was murdered.
- Where
- The killing took place on the Grand Canal at Grand Canal Way, Cappincur, near Tullamore, Co Offaly.
- When
- The killing took place on the afternoon of 12 January 2022.
- Other details
- Jozef Puska is a 33-year-old Slovak man who has lived in Mucklagh, Co Offaly, since 2015.
- Ashling Murphy and Jozef Puska were not known to each other, the court heard.
- Puska has denied the murder and is set to appeal his conviction, and he is on 24-hour suicide watch at Cloverhill Prison after a suspected suicide attempt.
- Cause
- Ms Murphy had 11 stab wounds in the right side of her neck, which caused acute blood loss and her heart to stop; one source says a post-mortem found 12 stab wounds.
- Investigation
- Puska confessed to gardaí while in St James's Hospital on 14 January 2022, and DNA matching his profile was found under the victim's fingernails, with a one in 14,000 chance of matching someone else.
- Gardaí arrested Puska on 18 January 2022 on suspicion of murder.
- Charges
- Puska was formally charged with murder on 19 January 2022.
- In court
- Puska pleaded not guilty when arraigned at the Central Criminal Court on 16 October 2023, and his trial opened on 17 October 2023.
- A jury of nine men and three women heard evidence from 62 witnesses over 13 days, and the court rejected the defence bid to exclude Puska's hospital admissions.
- On 9 November 2023 the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict of murder after about two hours of deliberation.
- Sentence
- The sentence is mandatory life imprisonment, with victim impact statements to be heard and sentencing set for 17 November 2023.
108 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJozef Puska denies the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA jury at the Central Criminal Court was to resume considering its verdict in the trial of a man accused of murdering Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska was convicted by unanimous jury verdict of the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska was convicted of the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska was found guilty of the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim, Ashling Murphy, was a 23-year-old schoolteacher. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAshling Murphy was murdered. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder happened at Grand Canal Way, Cappincur, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAshling Murphy was killed while jogging in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder is alleged to have taken place along the Grand Canal in Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAshling Murphy was found dead at the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at Grand Canal Way, Cappincur, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAshling Murphy was jogging along the Grand Canal. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place at Cappincur. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAshling Murphy was attacked and killed on the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAshling Murphy was stabbed while exercising on the Grand Canal near Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder took place at Grand Canal Way, Cappincur, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAshling Murphy was murdered at a point on the Grand Canal Loop path in Tullamore. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack happened as Ashling Murphy went for a run along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePuska lives at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, County Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place on 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe accused denies murdering Ashling Murphy at Cappincur, Co Offaly, on January 12th 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAshling Murphy was found dead after going for a run in January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on January 12th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place on 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAshling Murphy was attacked on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAshling Murphy was murdered on January 12th, 2022, while out for a run. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeMs Murphy died after being stabbed 11 times in the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeAccording to the prosecution, Murphy was being repeatedly stabbed when the DNA was transferred. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeAshling Murphy had 11 stab wounds in the right side of her neck, causing acute blood loss and her heart to stop. (irishtimes.com)
- causeMs Murphy had 11 stab wounds in the right side of her neck, which caused acute blood loss and her heart to stop. (irishtimes.com)
- causeAshling Murphy was stabbed 11 times. (irishtimes.com)
- causeA post-mortem found that Ashling Murphy died from 12 stab wounds. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeAshling Murphy was stabbed to death. (irishtimes.com)
- causeAshling Murphy had 11 stab wounds in the right side of her neck, which caused acute blood loss and her heart to stop. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponAshling Murphy was stabbed to death in a random attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution said Mr Puska confessed to the murder when he was in St James’s Hospital two days later. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe prosecution relies on Puska's confession to gardaí made in St James Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution says Puska's DNA was found under Murphy's fingernails. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution says Puska's family burned his clothes at his request. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe evidence includes a confession to murder made by the accused in hospital on January 14th 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe evidence includes DNA matching the accused's profile under Ashling Murphy's fingernails. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationPuska made an admission to murder to gardaí at hospital on January 14th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationPuska was recorded as saying he did it and was the murderer. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDNA from under Murphy's fingernails matched a DNA profile of Puska's, with a one in 14,000 chance of matching someone else. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationPuska was arrested on 18 January 2022 on suspicion of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationPuska made admissions to murder while in hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationPuska's DNA was found under the victim's fingernails. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe verdict followed CCTV evidence, eyewitness testimony, DNA evidence and a confession Puska made to gardaí while in hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Commissioner said the investigation team had done a very professional job. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí seized a phone and tablet from Puska's council house in Mucklagh. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeJozef Puska has denied the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePuska was formally charged with the murder on January 19th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Puska pleaded not guilty when arraigned on the murder charge at the Central Criminal Court on October 16th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury of nine men and three women heard evidence over 13 days from 62 witnesses. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury is expected to begin considering its verdict later this week. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIn her closing address for the DPP, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC said there is overwhelming evidence that Mr Puska is guilty of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIn his closing speech, Michael Bowman SC, for Mr Puska, said the jury should not accept that the lies told by Mr Puska indicate he is guilty of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt said the presumption of innocence applies to Mr Puska. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is taking place at Dublin Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtProsecuting barrister Anne-Marie Lawlor SC gave a closing speech to the jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDefence barrister Michael Bowman SC argued the evidence is not as clear as the prosecution says. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge told the jury they must acquit if there is a reasonable possibility Puska's account is true. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge will continue his directions to the jury on Wednesday 8 November. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial opened before a jury of nine men and three women on October 17th, heard evidence from 62 witnesses and the accused over 13 days. (irishtimes.com)
- courtClosing addresses were made on the Tuesday, after which Mr Justice Tony Hunt began his charge to the jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge adjourned the proceedings until the Thursday after the jury began considering its verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury in the trial of Jozef Puska has begun its deliberations after more than three weeks of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury of nine men and three women was sent out to deliberate at 3:35pm on a Wednesday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said manslaughter was an option but that no one was arguing for it in this case. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said DNA from Ashling Murphy's nails contained a profile matching the accused man. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPuska's trial opened on October 17th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt rejected the defence arguments to exclude Puska's hospital admissions. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after just over two hours of deliberating, following a trial of over three weeks before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJozef Puska was convicted of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPuska had denied the murder charge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPuska had denied the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe verdict was delivered at 2.18pm in courtroom 13 after the jury deliberated for about two hours. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJozef Puska was found guilty of murdering Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury reached its decision quickly. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPuska was found guilty last week of murdering Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJurors rejected Puska's claims and reached a unanimous guilty verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPuska showed no remorse and is set to appeal his conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceVictim impact statements are to be heard on November 17th before sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePuska is set to be jailed to the mandatory term of life in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentencePuska will be sentenced for the murder on 17 November. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge said he had to impose a sentence on Puska as mandated by law. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceVictim impact statements will be heard on 17 November. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePuska is set to be transferred to another jail after his sentencing hearing next Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Puska is described as a native of Slovakia living in Mucklagh, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska is from Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused admitted telling some lies to gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused testified that he had been attacked and stabbed by a man in dark clothing and a face mask while cycling along the canal on January 12th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMurphy and Puska were not known to each other. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska claimed he was stabbed by an unknown man wearing a face mask on the afternoon of January 12th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAshling Murphy was a 23-year-old teacher from Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska told Detective Garda Brian Jennings that he had murdered Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAshling Murphy's family said they were relieved that Puska was found guilty of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAshling Murphy and Jozef Puska were not known to each other, the court heard. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska is a 33-year-old native of Slovakia who has lived in Mucklagh, Co Offaly, since 2015 with his wife and five children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAshling Murphy was a primary school teacher. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described evil being in the courtroom. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAshling Murphy's family attended the Criminal Courts of Justice after the verdict was announced. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA Tullamore resident said the verdict had affected the town greatly. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPuska is on 24-hour suicide watch at Cloverhill Prison after a suspected suicide attempt. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPuska was convicted as a juvenile in Slovakia for consensual sex with a girl under 15 and received probation. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Nov2023Top psychologist says evil Jozef Puska is like Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer
Reports the guilty verdict, the jury's unanimous verdict, Puska's suicide watch after a suspected attempt, the planned sentencing hearing and his prior conviction in Slovakia. Includes a psychologist's commentary on the case.
convicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 11 Nov2023‘It’s not the same anymore’: Tullamore continues to grieve after murder of Ashling Murphy
Reports the guilty verdict for Jozef Puska's murder of Ashling Murphy and local reaction in Tullamore, including changes in how people use the Grand Canal Loop path.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska - 9 Nov2023‘We have evil in this room’: Judge tells Jozef Puska he will have ‘day of reckoning’ for murder of Ashling Murphy
Reports the jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court, the mandatory sentence and the date for victim impact statements. Puska had denied the murder.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovak, named, non-irishJozef Puska - 9 Nov2023Ashling Murphy trial: Family ‘relieved’ at Jozef Puska murder conviction as they grieve her loss
Reports the murder conviction after trial, the sentencing date of 17 November, and reactions from the victim's family, the Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner and Women's Aid.
convicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 9 Nov2023Jozef Puska found guilty of murder of Ashling Murphy
Reports the jury verdict finding Jozef Puska guilty of murder at the Central Criminal Court, the trial evidence, and that the mandatory life sentence is to follow.
convicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, Irish, irishAshling Murphy - 9 Nov2023Why did Jozef Puska murder Ashling Murphy? The answer may be known only to her killer
Analysis of the conviction: the article reviews the evidence the jury heard, including Puska's hospital admissions, DNA under the victim's fingernails, CCTV, eyewitness evidence and his unexplained account, and says the motive is unknown.
convicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 9 Nov2023Ashling Murphy trial: Jozef Puska convicted of the murder of 23-year-old Offaly teacher
Jury verdict of guilty in the murder trial of Jozef Puska; the judge is to hear victim impact statements before imposing the sentence mandated by law.
convicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, Slovak, named, non-irishJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy - 8 Nov2023Ashling Murphy murder trial: jury begin deliberations after 3 weeks of evidence
Reports that the jury has begun deliberating after the judge's charge, which set out the evidence, DNA, confession, inference and lies issues. No verdict is reported.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, Irish, irishAshling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, 33, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska - 8 Nov2023Ashling Murphy trial: Jury to resume considering verdict today
Reports the judge's charge to the jury and the start of deliberations on the verdict. No verdict is reported in this article.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, 33, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska - 7 Nov2023Ashling Murphy murder: Evidence against Puska is 'overwhelming', court hears
Reports the closing speeches by the prosecution and defence in the trial of Jozef Puska for the murder of Ashling Murphy, and the judge's directions to the jury.
accused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, Irish, irishAshling Murphy - 7 Nov2023Jury in Ashling Murphy murder trial expected to begin considering verdict this week
Reports the closing speeches for the prosecution and defence, the start of the judge's charge to the jury, and that the jury is expected to begin considering its verdict later that week. No verdict is reported.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska