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. 8652Murder

Puska drops murder conviction appeal, sentence appeal to proceed

Jozef Puska was convicted of the murder of Ashling Murphy and given a life sentence; the sources do not give the date or place of the killing, or the age or nationality of either person. Puska had earlier discharged members of his legal team, which delayed his appeal hearing. On 10 July 2026 he appeared before the Court of Appeal and withdrew his appeal against conviction, choosing to pursue an appeal against his sentence. That sentence appeal, which concerns the decision not to backdate his life sentence for time spent on remand, is due to be heard on 15 July.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ashling Murphy was the victim of a murder for which Jozef Puska was convicted.
  • Puska received a life sentence for the murder.
  • Puska has abandoned his appeal against his conviction.
  • Puska will pursue an appeal against his sentence.
In court
  • Puska appeared before the Court of Appeal on 10 July 2026 in anticipation of a hearing on his appeal.
  • Puska had previously discharged members of his legal team, which delayed the hearing.
  • Prosecuting counsel said the hearing should not be delayed if Puska discharged his counsel again.
Sentence
The sentence appeal focuses on the decision not to backdate the life sentence to account for time spent on remand.
When
The sentence appeal will be heard on 15 July.
Where
Puska was brought to court from Midlands Prison.
Other details
An interpreter assisted Puska in court.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJozef Puska has abandoned his appeal against his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy. (gript.ie)
  • whatIt was clarified that Puska wished to withdraw his conviction appeal and pursue an appeal of his sentence. (gript.ie)
  • whenThe sentence appeal will be heard on 15 July. (gript.ie)
  • courtPuska appeared before the Court of Appeal in anticipation of a hearing of his appeal against his life sentence. (gript.ie)
  • courtPuska had previously discharged members of his legal team, which delayed the hearing. (gript.ie)
  • courtProsecuting counsel said the hearing should not be delayed if Puska discharged his counsel again. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence appeal will focus on the decision not to backdate his life sentence to account for time spent on remand. (gript.ie)
  • otherPuska was brought from Midlands Prison and aided in court by a Slovakian interpreter. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jul2026
    In courtgript.ie, first report
    Puska abandons murder conviction appeal - Gript

    Court of Appeal hearing in which Puska withdrew his conviction appeal and will pursue an appeal of his sentence, focused on the decision not to backdate his life sentence for time on remand.

    convicted, Jozef Puska, namedJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy