Case No. 1506Withholding information, destroying evidence (obstruction of prosecution) · Co. Offaly · 14 Jan 2022
Puska relatives found guilty of obstructing Ashling Murphy murder prosecution
Jozef Puska's two brothers were unanimously found guilty of withholding crucial information from gardaí, and their wives were found guilty by majority verdicts of burning the convicted murderer's bloodstained clothes, at the Central Criminal Court on 17 June 2025. The four were remanded on continuing bail until 7 July for sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 May
8 reports - Convicted17 Jun
2 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports127 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAshling Murphy was a 23-year-old schoolteacher who was exercising by the canal near Tullamore (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska stabbed Ashling Murphy repeatedly in the neck (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Jnr returned to Tullamore Garda Station two days after his first statement and apologised for lying (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef arrived at the shared house in Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, looking like he had been beaten up (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska was convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old schoolteacher, on the afternoon of 12 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Murphy was exercising by the canal near Tullamore when Jozef stabbed her repeatedly in the neck (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef, Lubomir Jnr and Marek lived at Lynally Grove with their wives and 14 children (irishtimes.com)
- whatWhen Jozef arrived home on the night of the 12th, it looked like he had been struck on the forehead (irishtimes.com)
- whatTheir parents arrived a short time later and took Jozef to their home in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Jnr said it felt strange to tell on his brother and he had never had to do it before (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Puska jnr denied he asked anyone to dispose of the clothes Jozef Puska wore when he murdered Ms Murphy (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Puska jnr initially told gardaí he saw his brother in the early afternoon on the day of the murder, then later apologised for lying (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Puska jnr said Jozef Puska arrived home on the night of 12 January looking like he had been struck on the forehead (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska opened his towel to reveal three stab wounds after getting out of the shower (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska said a girl was running or exercising and went towards him while he was stabbing himself (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska attacked Ashling Murphy on the canal towpath at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on 12 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whatGrundzova told gardaí that Gaziova received a phone call telling her to burn certain clothes (irishtimes.com)
- whatGrundzova took socks out of the bag and threw them into the fire herself (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy by stabbing her on the canal towpath outside Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prosecutor said Jozef told Lubomir jnr and Marek, who then relayed it to the others in the house. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy by stabbing and slashing her neck. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prosecution said Marek and Lubomir jnr knew what Jozef had done shortly after 9.30pm on the night of the murder because Jozef told Marek. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMarek and Lubomir jnr failed to disclose vital information when they spoke to gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere was a real risk that the information could implicate Marek Puska in an offence of assisting his brother after the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy by repeatedly stabbing her in the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022 while she exercised along the canal towpath outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy by repeatedly stabbing her (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Jnr and Marek were found guilty of misleading gardaí by failing to disclose crucial information in witness statements (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe withheld information included that Jozef Puska returned home on the night of the murder with visible injuries (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska admitted to killing or seriously injuring a woman with a knife (irishtimes.com)
- whatJozef Puska subsequently travelled to Dublin after the murder (irishtimes.com)
- whatLubomir Puska Jnr admitted to gardaí that he lied about not having seen Jozef Puska after 11.30am on the day of the murder (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe murder was committed by repeatedly stabbing the victim in the neck (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe brothers failed to disclose that Jozef returned home with visible injuries on the night of the murder (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJozef had admitted to killing or seriously injuring a woman with a knife (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJozef subsequently travelled to Dublin after the murder (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAll accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- whereJozef Puska attacked Ashling Murphy on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore (irishtimes.com)
- whereAll the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- whereAll accused were living with Jozef Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused were all living with Puska, his partner Lucia, and 14 children at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder occurred along the canal towpath outside Tullamore. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAll accused were living at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly when the offences are alleged to have occurred. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder occurred while Murphy was exercising along the canal towpath outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAll accused were living with Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder occurred on the canal towpath near Tullamore, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- whereAll four defendants were living at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, with Jozef Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack occurred along the canal towpath outside Tullamore, Co Offaly (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAll four defendants were living at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly at the time of the offences (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe burning of clothing took place between 12 and 14 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on 12 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whenGaziova lit the fire on 13 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on the afternoon of 12 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe obstruction offences are alleged to have occurred in January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe jury began deliberating the previous Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe jurors were to resume deliberations at 11.30am the following day. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences are alleged to have occurred in January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place on 12 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred in January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whenJozef Puska told his brothers shortly after 9.30pm on the day of the murder (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe trial began on 19 May 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- whenJozef Puska murdered Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- causeAshling Murphy died from 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, 11 of which were stab wounds (irishtimes.com)
- chargeLubomir Puska Jnr is also accused of withholding information (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe offences against Marek and Lubomir are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe wives' offences are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeLubomir Puska jnr and Marek Puska are charged with withholding information while knowing or believing it might materially assist in apprehending, prosecuting or convicting Jozef Puska (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova are accused of assisting in burning clothing without reasonable excuse, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMarek and Lubomir jnr are accused of withholding information relating to the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeLubomir Puska jnr (38) and Marek Puska (36) are charged with withholding information. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeViera Gaziova (40) and Jozefina Grundzova (32) are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by burning his clothes. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe amended indictment now states the accused knew Jozef Puska had committed the murder of Ashling Murphy or some other arrestable offence. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeLubomir Puska Jnr and Marek Puska are charged with withholding information from gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeViera Gaziova and Jozefina Grundzova are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by burning his clothes. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeViera Gaziova and Jozefina Grundzova are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Puska by burning his clothes. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAll four accused have pleaded not guilty (irishtimes.com)
- courtJozef Puska has been convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women (irishtimes.com)
- courtEach accused has pleaded not guilty (irishtimes.com)
- courtLubomir Jnr made voluntary statements at Tullamore Garda Station on 14 and 16 January 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women (irishtimes.com)
- courtDet Garda James Duffy gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Caroline Biggs told the jury of seven men and five women they would not be required again until Monday (irishtimes.com)
- courtLawyers for Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova delivered closing speeches on Tuesday afternoon. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe two women are on trial with their husbands Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska jnr. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPaul Murray SC told the jury that for Ms Grundzova to be guilty, the jury must be satisfied she knew what Puska had done when she helped burn the clothes. (irishtimes.com)
- courtProsecutor Anne Marie Lawlor SC told the jury that all the accused knew what Puska had done shortly after 9.30pm on the night of the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKathleen Leader SC said Lubomir jnr delayed but did not withhold information and had a reasonable excuse for the delay. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs began her charge to the jury and will continue the following day. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Central Criminal Court jury will continue deliberations on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury convicted Jozef Puska of murder and he is serving a life sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAll accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury originally began deliberations on Wednesday but an amendment was made to the indictment on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence counsel Karl Finnegan SC said Marek Puska was entitled to remain silent to avoid incriminating himself. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consists of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury ceased deliberations for the weekend and will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury returned to court shortly before 12.30pm on Friday with three questions. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs presided over the trial. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Biggs said the accused do not need to know they are doing something unlawful to be guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury asked whether protection of the wider family, particularly the children, with protection of Jozef Puska as the means, qualifies as a reasonable excuse. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Biggs said self-incrimination can amount to a reasonable excuse and the issue was entirely for the jury to decide. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury asked whether they could take into account wider circumstances or family dynamics beyond the written statements and evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe 12 jurors originally began considering their verdicts on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA change was made to the indictment on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury panel spent seven hours and 18 minutes deliberating. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury will return to the Central Criminal Court to consider its verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs told the jurors to go for the day at 1.45pm. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe brothers were found guilty unanimously by the 12 jurors (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury deliberated for 13 hours and 40 minutes over five days (irishtimes.com)
- courtThere were 12 days of pretrial hearings before the jury was sworn (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe four defendants were remanded on continuing bail with probation reports ordered (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe brothers were found unanimously guilty of withholding crucial information (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe wives were found guilty by majority verdicts of burning Jozef's bloodstained clothes (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAll defendants had pleaded not guilty to all charges (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury deliberated for 13 hours and 40 minutes over five days on the brothers' charges (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe verdict on the wives was delivered 16 minutes after the brothers' verdict (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe four were remanded on continuing bail until 7 July for sentencing (irishmirror.ie)
- otherJozef Puska was convicted of Ashling Murphy's murder (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth brothers pleaded not guilty (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe two women pleaded not guilty (irishtimes.com)
- otherJozef Puska was later convicted of Ashling Murphy's murder (irishtimes.com)
- otherAll accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe legislation regarding withholding information was introduced following the Omagh bombing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJozef Puska was convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe jury panel consists of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe jury had spent 10 hours and 5 minutes deliberating by the time they were dismissed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJozef Puska was convicted of the murder and is serving a life sentence (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jun2025Jozef Puska relatives guilty over obstructing arrest for Ashling Murphy murder
Reports the guilty verdicts for the four Puska relatives on obstruction charges, including details of the jury deliberation (13h40m over five days for the brothers, 16 minutes for the wives), the specific information withheld, and remand for sentencing on 7 July.
convicted, 38, male, non-irish (judged from name)convicted, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskaconvicted, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovaconvicted, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovavictim, Jozef Puska, 35, male, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska - 17 Jun2025Two of Jozef Puska’s brothers found guilty of withholding key information about Ashling Murphy murder
Reports the jury verdicts at the Central Criminal Court: brothers found guilty unanimously, wives by majority (11-1 and 10-2). Details the withheld information including Puska returning home with visible injuries and admitting to killing a woman with a knife. Notes Lucia Istokova's pre-trial guilty plea and the July 7 mention date.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskaconvicted, Lubomir Puska Jnr, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska Jnrconvicted, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)convicted, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovaconvicted, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovaconvicted, Lucia Istokova, 36, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Istokova - 16 Jun2025Puska family trial: Jury to continue deliberations tomorrow
Reports that the jury (seven men and five women) began deliberating the previous Wednesday, had spent 10 hours and 5 minutes by 1.45pm on 16 June, and was told by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs to resume at 11.30am on 17 June. Confirms the four defendants, their charges, and that all pleaded not guilty.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskaaccused, Lubomir Puska jnr, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska jnraccused, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskaaccused, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovaaccused, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzova - 13 Jun2025Jury in trial of Jozef Puska’s relatives to resume deliberations on Monday
Provides detail on the jury's three questions to Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, the prosecution and defence closing speeches, and the fact that a change was made to the indictment on Thursday before the jury spent seven hours and 18 minutes deliberating.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskaaccused, Lubomir Puska Jnr, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska Jnraccused, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskaaccused, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovaaccused, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzova - 12 Jun2025Puska family trial: jury to continue deliberations on Friday
Reports the trial in progress: jury began deliberations on Wednesday, an amendment was made to the indictment on Thursday (specifying 'the murder of Ashling Murphy' rather than 'the offence of murder'), and the jury will continue on Friday. Includes details of the prosecution and defence closing speeches.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskaaccused, Lubomir Puska jnr, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska jnraccused, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskaaccused, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovaaccused, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzova - 10 Jun2025Jozef Puska’s sisters-in-law could not have known about murder when they burned clothes, court hears
Defence closing speeches for all four accused at the Central Criminal Court, arguing the sisters-in-law did not know or believe Puska was guilty when they burned his clothes, and that Lubomir jnr delayed but did not withhold information. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs began her charge to the jury.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphysuspect, Jozef Puska, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskasuspect, Lubomir Puska jnr, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska jnrsuspect, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskasuspect, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovasuspect, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzova - 4 Jun2025Jozef Puska’s sister-in-law said she burned clothes day after Aishling Murphy murder, trial hears
Trial evidence details how the clothes were burned: a phone call prompted Gaziova to light the fire on 13 January 2022, Grundzova threw socks into the fire, and a bloodstained T-shirt was among the items. The jury (seven men, five women) was told they would not be required again until Monday.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphysuspect, Jozef Puska, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskasuspect, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovasuspect, Viera Gaziova, 40, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovasuspect, Lubomir Puska jnr, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska jnrsuspect, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puska - 28 May2025Jozef Puska revealed three stab wounds on night of Ashling Murphy murder, court hears
Details of Lubomir Puska jnr's account to gardaí of Jozef Puska revealing three stab wounds and describing the murder as an accident, as presented to the jury during the ongoing trial before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskaaccused, Lubomir Puska jnr, 37, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska jnraccused, Marek Puska, 36, 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 Gaziova - 27 May2025Jozef Puska ‘not in a good mood’ on day of Ashling Murphy murder, court told
Trial evidence from Lubomir Puska Jnr describing Jozef's behaviour on the day of the murder, his arrival home with visible injuries, and his two voluntary statements to gardaí on 14 and 16 January 2022.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphysuspect, Jozef Puska, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskasuspect, 38, male, non-irish (judged from name)suspect, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)suspect, Viera Gaziova, 38, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziovasuspect, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzova - 26 May2025Marek Puska ‘logically inferred’ his brother had murdered Ashling Murphy, trial hears
Trial testimony from Marek Puska describing Jozef's account of the night of the murder, his 'logical inference' that Jozef had killed Ashling Murphy, and the arrangement to burn Jozef's clothes. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.
victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Marek Puska, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Puskaaccused, Lubomir Puska Jnr, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puska Jnraccused, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozefina Grundzovaaccused, Viera Gaziova, 38, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viera Gaziova