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. 1646Withholding information, assisting in burning clothing to impede prosecution · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022

Jozef Puska's brothers and sisters-in-law on trial for burning his clothes after Ashling Murphy murder

Jozef Puska (35) attacked and killed Ashling Murphy (23) on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on the afternoon of January 12, 2022; she died from 12 sharp force injuries to her neck. Puska was arrested on January 18, 2022, and was later convicted of her murder. His brothers Marek Puska (34) and Lubomir Puska (35) and their wives Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38) are on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with withholding information and assisting in burning Puska's clothing to impede his prosecution. All four pleaded not guilty, and the trial before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs began on May 19, 2025, with a jury of five women and seven men, and is expected to last up to five weeks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jozef Puska (35) attacked and killed Ashling Murphy (23) on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on the afternoon of January 12, 2022.
  • Two witnesses saw a male on top of Murphy in the bushes by the towpath, and CCTV showed Puska cycling around Tullamore in a distinctive Tommy Hilfiger tracksuit.
Cause
Murphy died from 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, eleven of which were stab wounds.
Investigation
Puska was arrested on suspicion of murder on January 18, 2022, and was later convicted.
Charges
  • Marek Puska (34) and Lubomir Puska (35) are charged with withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988, allegedly failing to tell a Garda that Puska returned home with visible injuries and travelled to Dublin on the night of January 12, 2022.
  • Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38) are charged with assisting in burning clothing worn by Puska between January 12 and 14, 2022, under the Criminal Law Act 1997.
Other details
Grundzova is married to Marek Puska and Gaziova is married to Lubomir Puska.
Where
All four defendants have addresses at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
In court
  • The trial began at the Central Criminal Court on May 19, 2025, before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of five women and seven men.
  • All four defendants pleaded not guilty, and the trial is expected to last up to five weeks.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy in January 2022 close to a canal in Tullamore (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOn the afternoon of January 12, 2022, Jozef Puska attacked Ashling Murphy on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAshling Murphy died having suffered 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, eleven of which were stab wounds. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo witnesses saw a male on top of Ms Murphy in the bushes by the canal towpath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCCTV showed Jozef cycling around Tullamore wearing a distinctive Tommy Hilfiger tracksuit. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defence admitted that Ashling Murphy died on January 12, 2022 due to stab wounds to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defence admitted that Jozef Puska was arrested on suspicion of her murder on January 18, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defence admitted that Jozef Puska was later convicted of her murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe four defendants have addresses in Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
  • whereAll the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLubomir Puska is charged with withholding information by failing to tell a Garda that Jozef Puska returned home to Mucklagh on the night of January 12th, 2022 with visible injuries (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLubomir Puska is alleged to have failed to disclose that Jozef Puska travelled to Dublin that night (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMarek Puska is further alleged to have been aware of an arrangement to burn clothing worn by Jozef Puska at the time of the murder (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe brothers' charges state they knew or believed the withheld information might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of Jozef Puska (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe brothers' offences are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe two women are accused of assisting in burning clothing between January 12th and 14th intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe women's offences are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe brothers are charged with withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe sisters-in-law are charged with assisting in burning clothing between January 12th and 14th under the Criminal Law Act 1997. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial has begun at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs swore a jury of five women and seven men (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is expected to last up to five weeks (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJozef Puska was tried and convicted of the murder (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth brothers pleaded not guilty (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth women pleaded not guilty (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial will begin with an opening statement by the prosecution on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJozefina Grundzova is married to Marek Puska (irishtimes.com)
  • otherViera Gaziova is married to Lubomir Puska (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 May2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Jozef Puska’s sisters-in-law burned his clothes after Ashling Murphy murder, barrister tells jury

    Opening of trial; prosecution case outlined by Sean Gillane SC; defence admitted certain facts including Murphy's death from stab wounds and Puska's arrest and conviction for murder

    accused, Lubomir Puska Jnr, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska Jnraccused, Marek Puska, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskaaccused, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovaaccused, Viera Gaziova, 38, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy
  2. 19 May2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Four go on trial accused of assisting Ashling Murphy’s killer Jozef Puska

    Trial has formally begun; jury sworn; specific charges detailed for each defendant; prosecution opening statement set for Tuesday; trial expected to last up to five weeks.

    victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphysuspect, Lubomir Puska, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puskasuspect, Marek Puska, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskasuspect, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovasuspect, Viera Gaziova, 38, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziova