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. 7470Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022

Trial of Jozef Puska over Ashling Murphy murder to begin later this month

Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old schoolteacher at Durrow National School, was killed on the afternoon of January 12th 2022 at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Jozef Puska, a 32-year-old Slovakian national, is charged with her murder. The case was listed in the Central Criminal Court on a Monday morning, when Michael Bowman SC, for Mr Puska, addressed pretrial matters. A pretrial hearing expected to last two weeks was due to open on Wednesday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with the jury trial expected to open later that month and estimated to last six weeks. The case was most recently adjourned to 2pm before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old woman, was working as a teacher at Durrow National School at the time of her death.
Where
The killing took place at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
When
The murder occurred on the afternoon of January 12th 2022.
Charges
Jozef Puska, a 32-year-old Slovakian national with an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is charged with the murder of Ms Murphy.
In court
  • The case was listed in the Central Criminal Court on a Monday morning, when Michael Bowman SC, for Mr Puska, addressed pretrial matters.
  • A pretrial hearing expected to last two weeks was due to open on Wednesday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
  • The trial is expected to open before a jury at the Central Criminal Court later this month.
  • Counsel estimated the full trial would last six weeks.
  • Ann-Marie Lawlor SC represented the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • The case was adjourned to 2pm before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
Other details
  • Friends and family of Ms Murphy, including her sister Amy, were in court.
  • Ms Murphy was a talented traditional Irish musician and a recent graduate of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe killing took place at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder occurred on the afternoon of January 12th 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJozef Puska is charged with the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is expected to open before a jury at the Central Criminal Court later this month. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA pretrial hearing expected to last two weeks opens on Wednesday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 2pm before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCounsel estimated the full trial would last six weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAnn-Marie Lawlor SC represented the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFriends and family of Ashling Murphy, including her sister Amy, were in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAshling Murphy was a schoolteacher working at Durrow National School at the time of her death. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Oct2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Ashling Murphy murder: Trial of Jozef Puska to begin later this month

    Reports the Central Criminal Court pretrial matters and listing for the trial of Jozef Puska, with pretrial issues expected to take two weeks and the full trial estimated at six weeks.

    accused, Jozef Puska, 32, male, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy