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. 7331Murder · Co. Offaly · 22 Jan 2022

Witness describes man on top of Ashling Murphy at Tullamore canal, murder trial hears

Ashling Murphy was killed on the afternoon of January 22, 2022, while out running on the canal near Cappincur in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Jozef Puska, a Slovakian national, is accused of her murder and has pleaded not guilty. His trial was on its third day by October 18, 2023, when a witness told the court she saw a man on top of Ashling Murphy and the defence said Puska was trying to assist her.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ashling Murphy was killed while out for a run along the canal near Cappincur in Tullamore.
Where
The incident took place at the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
When
The incident happened on the afternoon of January 22, 2022.
Investigation
A witness was later called in to identify the attacker, and the defence told the court the man she identified was not Puska.
Charges
Jozef Puska, a Slovakian national, is accused of the murder of Ashling Murphy.
In court
The trial of Jozef Puska was on its third day, as reported on October 18 and 19, 2023.
Other details
  • Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder.
  • A witness told the court she saw a man on top of Ashling Murphy, and that he shouted at her to get away.
  • The defence argues Puska was trying to assist Ashling Murphy when she was seen.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAshling Murphy was killed while out for a run along the canal near Cappincur in Tullamore. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on the afternoon of January 22, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA witness was later called in to identify the attacker, and the defence told the court the man she identified was not Puska. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJozef Puska is accused of the murder of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial of Jozef Puska was on its third day. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPuska has pleaded not guilty to the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA witness told the court she saw a man on top of Ashling Murphy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence argues Puska was trying to assist Ashling Murphy when she was seen. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Oct2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Jozef Puska was 'trying to assist' Ashling Murphy, defence claims

    Covers the third day of the trial, with witness testimony that a man was seen on top of Ashling Murphy and the defence's cross-examination arguing Puska was trying to assist her.

    victim, Ashling Murphy, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Ashling Murphyaccused, Jozef Puska, male, Slovakian, named, non-irishJozef Puska