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. 8747Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022

Scope of Ashling Murphy murder conviction appeal may change

On January 12, 2022, Ashling Murphy, aged 23, was attacked and stabbed repeatedly in the neck as she exercised along the canal towpath at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Jozef Puska, whose age is given as 31 in a photo caption and 35 in the article text, was charged with her murder at a special sitting of Tullamore District Court. He was convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence. His appeal against the conviction was due on April 23, but that hearing was vacated after his barristers applied to withdraw, and a July 15 hearing was set. On July 3, 2026, at case management before Ms Justice Kennedy in the Court of Appeal, counsel said the scope of the appeal may change, and the matter was adjourned to July 10.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Jozef Puska is serving a life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy.
Where
Ms Murphy was attacked on the canal towpath at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
When
The murder took place on January 12, 2022.
Cause
Puska attacked Ms Murphy as she exercised along the canal towpath.
Weapon
The jury found Puska stabbed Ms Murphy 11 times in the neck and slashed her once with a blade.
Investigation
  • Puska's DNA and fingerprint were found on a bicycle at the scene.
  • CCTV captured Puska cycling his bicycle around Tullamore earlier that afternoon.
  • Puska's DNA was found under Ms Murphy's fingernails.
Charges
Puska was charged with Ms Murphy's murder at a special sitting of Tullamore District Court.
Other details
Puska's age is given as 31 in a photo caption and 35 in the article text.
In court
  • His appeal hearing due on April 23 was vacated after his barristers applied to withdraw, and a July 15 hearing date was set for the conviction appeal.
  • Senior Counsel John Berry confirmed he had come on record to represent Puska.
  • At case management before Ms Justice Kennedy at the Court of Appeal, counsel said the scope of the appeal may change.
  • The matter was adjourned to July 10.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJozef Puska is serving a life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereAshling Murphy was attacked along the canal towpath outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe murder took place at Cappincur, Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe murder took place on January 12, 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe murder occurred on January 12, 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causePuska attacked Ms Murphy and stabbed her repeatedly in the neck as she exercised along the canal towpath. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponMs Murphy was slashed once with the edge of a blade. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe jury found Puska stabbed Ms Murphy 11 times in the neck and slashed her once with a blade. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationPuska's DNA and fingerprint were found on the bicycle at the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationPuska was captured on CCTV cycling his bicycle around Tullamore earlier that afternoon. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationPuska's DNA was found under Ms Murphy's fingernails. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe jury found that Puska stabbed Ms Murphy 11 times in the neck. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe appeal hearing originally due on April 23 was vacated after his barristers applied to withdraw. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtSenior Counsel John Berry confirmed he had come on record to represent Puska. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was listed for case management at the Court of Appeal before Ms Justice Kennedy. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtCounsel said the scope of the appeal may change. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtPuska's appeal against his murder conviction was originally due to be heard on April 23, but that date was vacated. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtA new hearing date of July 15 was set for the conviction appeal. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtCounsel said the ambit of the appeal may change. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Kennedy adjourned the matter to July 10. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe matter was adjourned to July 10. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentencePuska is serving a life sentence for the murder of Ms Murphy. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherPuska has been granted legal aid for his appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Jul2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Ashling Murphy's killers' appeal against murder conviction may change

    Court of Appeal case management: counsel said the ambit of the appeal may change after receiving an instruction, and the matter was adjourned to July 10. Puska's appeal hearing had been set for July 15 after an April 23 date was vacated.

    victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 35, male, namedJozef Puska
  2. 3 Jul2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Ashling Murphy's killers' appeal against murder conviction may change

    Case management hearing on the conviction appeal of Jozef Puska, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy. The article gives Puska's age as 31 in a photo caption and 35 in the text; the text figure is used here.

    victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyconvicted, Jozef Puska, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puska