Thursday 29 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. 7099Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022

Jozef Puska found guilty of murdering Ashling Murphy in Tullamore

On the afternoon of 12 January 2022, Ashling Murphy, a woman, was stabbed 11 times in the neck while out for a run on the Grand Canal in Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old man, was charged with her murder. A jury found him guilty of murder after a trial, as reported on 16 November 2023. Puska is due to be sentenced to a mandatory life sentence on Friday 17 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted16 Nov
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old man, was found guilty of murdering Ashling Murphy, a woman.
Where
Ms Murphy was attacked while out for a run on the Grand Canal in Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
When
The murder took place on the afternoon of 12 January 2022.
Cause
Ms Murphy was stabbed 11 times in the neck.
Investigation
  • Puska confessed to investigators, saying he had murdered someone.
  • Evidence at trial included Puska's confession, his DNA under Ms Murphy's fingernails, CCTV footage and witnesses placing him at the scene.
  • Gardaí believe Puska was set to attack a different woman near a van before he murdered Ms Murphy.
Charges
Puska was charged with the murder of Ms Murphy.
In court
A jury found Puska guilty of murder after a trial, as reported on 16 November 2023.
Sentence
  • Puska is due to be sentenced on Friday 17 November.
  • The sentence for murder is mandatory life imprisonment.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPuska was found guilty of murdering Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereMs Murphy was attacked while out for a run on the Grand Canal in Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe murder took place on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMs Murphy was stabbed 11 times in the neck. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationPuska confessed to investigators, saying he had murdered someone. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationEvidence at trial included Puska's own confession, his DNA under Ms Murphy's fingernails, CCTV and witnesses placing him at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury found Puska guilty of murder after a trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentencePuska is due to be sentenced to life on Friday 17 November. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence is a mandatory life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí believe Puska was set to attack a different woman near a van before he murdered Ms Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Nov2023
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Depraved Jozef Puska was set to attack a woman BEFORE he murdered Ashling Murphy

    Reports the jury verdict, the mandatory life sentence due on 17 November 2023, gardaí's belief that Puska had been targeting another woman earlier that day, and the evidence used at trial, including his confession.

    convicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy