Saturday 31 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. 19643Murder · Co. Offaly · 12 Jan 2022

Trial of man accused of Ashling Murphy murder to start today

Ashling Murphy, 23, a person, died after an alleged assault while she was out running by the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 12 January 2022. Jozef Puška, 32, a Slovakian man, is to be tried for her murder, and five other Slovakian co-accused were charged over alleged withholding of information and impeding an arrest between 12 and 27 January 2022. Five Slovakian nationals were charged at Tullamore District Court on 15 June 2023, and on 2 October 2023 Jozef Puška's trial was due to start at 10:30 at the Central Criminal Court, where it could last up to six weeks and he faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

  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, 23, died after an alleged assault.
Where
The alleged assault happened while she was out running by the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
When
The alleged assault happened on 12 January 2022.
Charges
  • Jozef Puška, 32, a Slovakian man, is to be tried for murder.
  • Marek Puška, a third accused recorded only as Puška, and Lucia Istokova were charged with withholding information between 12 and 27 January 2022.
  • Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova were charged with impeding the arrest of an alleged offender between 12 and 14 January 2022.
In court
  • Five Slovakian nationals were charged at Tullamore District Court on 15 June 2023.
  • Jozef Puška's trial is scheduled to start at 10:30 on 2 October 2023 at the Central Criminal Court and could last up to six weeks.
Sentence
If convicted of murder, Jozef Puška faces a mandatory life sentence.
Other details
The co-accused are Marek Puška, 34, Lucia Istokova, 34, Jozefina Grundzova, 33, Viera Gaziova, 38, and a further Slovakian person aged 35.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAshling Murphy, 23, died after an alleged assault. (gript.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault happened while Ashling Murphy was out running by the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (gript.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault happened on 12 January 2022. (gript.ie)
  • chargeJozef Puška will go on trial for murder. (gript.ie)
  • chargeMarek Puška, Puška and Lucia Istokova were charged with withholding information between 12 and 27 January 2022. (gript.ie)
  • chargeJozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova were charged with impeding the arrest of an alleged offender between 12 and 14 January 2022. (gript.ie)
  • courtJozef Puška's trial is scheduled to start at 10:30 at the Central Criminal Court. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe trial could last up to six weeks. (gript.ie)
  • courtFive Slovakian nationals were charged at Tullamore District Court on 15 June. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceIf convicted, Jozef Puška faces a mandatory life sentence. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Oct2023
    In courtgript.ie, first report
    Trial of man accused of Ashling Murphy murder to start today - Gript

    Reports that Jozef Puška's murder trial is due to start at the Central Criminal Court, with background on five co-accused charged in June 2023.

    victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puška, 32, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puškaaccused, Marek Puška, 34, Slovakian, named, non-irishMarek Puškaaccused, 35, Slovakian, non-irishaccused, Lucia Istokova, 34, Slovakian, named, non-irishLucia Istokovaaccused, Jozefina Grundzova, 33, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozefina Grundzovaaccused, Viera Gaziova, 38, Slovakian, named, non-irishViera Gaziova