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. 6062Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022

Jozef Puska granted legal aid to appeal conviction for murder of Ashling Murphy

Schoolteacher Ashling Murphy was stabbed eleven times in the neck and slashed once with a blade on 12 January 2022 at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. No motive has been offered for the killing. Gardaí found Jozef Puska's DNA and fingerprint on the bike and saw scratches on his face and hands the day after the murder. A jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Puska of murder by a unanimous verdict after a trial in 2023. On 19 April 2024, Puska was granted legal aid to appeal his conviction, as were all 20 applications heard that day by the Court of Appeal before Mr Justice George Birmingham.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted19 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ashling Murphy, a schoolteacher, was killed.
When
The murder took place on 12 January 2022.
Where
The murder took place at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Weapon
Ashling Murphy was stabbed eleven times in the neck and slashed once with a blade.
Cause
No motive has been offered for the killing.
Investigation
  • Puska's DNA and a fingerprint of his were found on the bike.
  • Gardaí saw scratches on Puska's face and hands the day after the murder.
In court
  • A jury convicted Jozef Puska of murder by a unanimous verdict at the Central Criminal Court, following a trial in 2023.
  • On 19 April 2024, Puska was granted legal aid to appeal his conviction.
  • Mr Justice George Birmingham granted legal aid in all 20 applications before the Court of Appeal that day.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe murder took place at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder took place on 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponAshling Murphy was stabbed eleven times in the neck and slashed once with a blade. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationPuska's DNA was found on the bike, as was his fingerprint. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí saw scratches on Puska's face and hands the day after the murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury convicted Puska of murder by a unanimous verdict. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPuska was granted legal aid to appeal his conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice George Birmingham granted legal aid in all 20 applications before the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo motive has been offered for the killing. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Apr2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Jozef Puska granted legal aid to appeal conviction for murder of Ashling Murphy

    Puska was granted legal aid to appeal his murder conviction, and the article sets out the trial evidence that is likely to form the basis of the appeal.

    victim, Ashling Murphy, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska