Wednesday 28 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. 7052Withholding information about a murder · Co. Offaly · 14 Jan 2022

Wife of Jozef Puska due in court over withholding information on Ashling Murphy murder

Ashling Murphy was stabbed while out running on the Grand Canal Way near Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022. Lucia Istokova, wife of Jozef Puska, 33, is alleged to have withheld information from gardaí at Crumlin Garda station on January 14, 2022, and her brothers-in-law Marek and Lubomir Puska are accused of the same offence. Jozef Puska was given a life sentence for the murder the week before the charge against Istokova was reported on November 22, 2023. Istokova is due to appear before Tullamore District Court on December 20.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged22 Nov
    2 reports
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Lucia Istokova, wife of Jozef Puska, is charged with withholding information from gardaí about the murder of Ashling Murphy.
Cause
Ashling Murphy was stabbed while out running on the Grand Canal Way.
Where
  • The murder took place on the Grand Canal Way in Cappincur near Tullamore, Co Offaly.
  • The alleged offence by Istokova took place at Crumlin Garda station.
  • The alleged offence by Marek and Lubomir Puska was committed at Tullamore Garda station on a date between January 12 and January 27, 2022.
When
  • Ashling Murphy was murdered on January 12, 2022.
  • The alleged offence by Istokova took place on January 14, 2022.
Charges
  • Istokova is accused of failing without reasonable excuse to disclose information she knew or believed could help secure her husband's arrest, prosecution or conviction.
  • Marek and Lubomir Puska, brothers of Jozef Puska, are accused of the same offence.
Sentence
Jozef Puska, 33, was given a life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy the week before the charge was reported.
In court
Istokova is due to appear before Tullamore District Court on December 20.
Investigation
Jozef Puska is being held in Cloverhill Prison.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLucia Istokova, wife of Jozef Puska, is charged with withholding information that could have led to his prosecution. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offence was committed at Crumlin Garda station on January 14 last year. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe brothers' alleged offence was committed at Tullamore Garda station on a date between January 12 and January 27 last year. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereAshling Murphy was stabbed while out for a run on the Grand Canal Way near Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12 last year. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offence against Istokova took place at Crumlin Garda station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereAshling Murphy was murdered while out running at the Grand Canal Way in Cappincur near Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence against Istokova took place on January 14, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence by the Puska brothers was committed at Tullamore Garda Station on a date unknown between January 12 and January 27, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeIstokova is alleged to have withheld information from detectives that she knew or believed could help secure Puska's apprehension, prosecution or conviction. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeMarek and Lubomir Puska, the murderer's brothers, are also accused of the same charge. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeIstokova is accused of withholding information from gardaí about the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe charge says she failed to disclose information without reasonable excuse, which she knew or believed could have led to her husband's arrest, prosecution or conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMarek and Lubomir Puska, Jozef Puska's brothers, are accused of the same offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtIstokova is due to appear before Tullamore District Court on December 20. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentencePuska was given a life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceJozef Puska was given a life sentence the previous week for the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIstokova is the wife of Jozef Puska. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Nov2023
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Wife of murderer Jozef Puska due in court next month

    Reports a new charge against Lucia Istokova and two co-accused, Marek and Lubomir Puska, with withholding information about the Ashling Murphy murder, with the alleged offence date, location and court date.

    accused, Lucia Istokova, female, namedLucia Istokovaaccused, maleaccused, Lubomir Puska, male, namedLubomir Puska
  2. 22 Nov2023
    Chargeddublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Wife of murderer Jozef Puska charged with withholding information in case

    Adds the charge details, the Tullamore District Court date, the co-accused brothers, and background on Puska's life sentence for the murder.

    accused, Lucia Istokova, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Istokovaaccused, male, non-irish (judged from name)accused, Lubomir Puska, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lubomir Puskaconvicted, Jozef Puska, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jozef Puskavictim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphy