Lisa O'Meara, who waived her anonymity, told the Central Criminal Court that she had been kept hostage in her own home by Barry Murphy, who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her between February 2018 and February 2020. Murphy, 39, was convicted of three rapes, one sexual assault, three assault causing harm, one false imprisonment and coercive control over an 18‑month period. He was also found guilty of a separate assault abroad. The court heard that the front door of the couple's house was riveted shut and that O'Meara had no means of communication until she escaped the night after the final rape. Murphy's bail was revoked when O'Meara lived with him. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 17 years for the rapes, four years for coercive control, and other sentences for the remaining offences, all running concurrently. The final global sentence was 15½ years, with the last year suspended on strict conditions.
Jamie Geoghan, aged 28, was one of four men who entered a Dublin boys' secondary school on 13 October 2022 and violently confronted a teenage student. CCTV showed Geoghan throwing a steel pole at the student, narrowly missing him and a staff member, while the student had taken a hammer from his bag in self‑defence and fled. Geoghan pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 22 July 2024. He is already serving a six‑year sentence for another offence. The other three men – Jack Craig (21), Josh Neary (22) and Scott Purdue (25) – had already been sentenced to 16‑month terms, with Craig's sentence suspended in full. No physical injuries were reported, but the incident caused widespread fear among students and staff, leading to the retirement of one staff member. The court noted Geoghan's long history of offending, with 79 convictions since 2013, and his previous promising football career.
Paul Murphy, a father-of-two who survived a fatal crane incident at Thomond Bridge in Limerick in 2015, reached an undisclosed settlement with multiple parties, including Palfinger Ireland Ltd and Limerick City and County Council, the High Court heard. Counsel for Murphy stated that liability was conceded by the named defendants, allowing the case to proceed solely for the assessment of damages before the settlement was finalized. The incident claimed the lives of Murphy's co-workers, Bryan Whelan and TJ O'Herlihy, who drowned after the crane fell into the River Shannon. Murphy, who suffered PTSD and physical injuries, was rescued by lifeboat. In related proceedings, Palfinger Ireland Ltd was fined €25,000 at Limerick Circuit Court on October 7, 2022, after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Additionally, Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd pleaded guilty to similar breaches and was fined €200,000. The prosecutions, brought by the Health and Safety Authority, cited a failed safety mechanism and a missing chapter in the crane manual supplied by Palfinger. The High Court judge acknowledged the trauma Murphy endured, noting he had to relive parts of the tragedy during the proceedings.
Two brothers were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and indecent assault of three young children at their family farm in Co Offaly between 1987 and 1989. Neville Moody, 52, of Kildare Town, was convicted following trial of two counts of raping his niece, Charlotte Moody, and one count of indecently assaulting her brother, Kenneth Moody. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo sentenced Neville Moody to a consecutive term of nine years, suspending the final year for two years. His brother, Norman Moody, 53, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecently assaulting Charlotte and one count of indecently assaulting a second niece, Annette Moody. The judge sentenced Norman Moody to a consecutive term of four and a half years, suspending the final six months for six months on strict conditions. The complainants, who waived anonymity, described severe long-term trauma. The judge noted that while both men were minors at the time, the abuse was not innocent experimentation. He acknowledged Neville's lack of insight and Norman's genuine remorse. The sentences reflect the serious nature of the offences against children aged between four and a half and eight years old.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, a teenage boy under 18 was sentenced to life in detention with a review after 15 years for the murder of 51‑year‑old Lorna Woodnutt. The boy, who cannot be named under the Children's Act, used a sledgehammer to kill Woodnutt on 29 September 2023 outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. After the killing, he posted a 17‑second video of the victim's body on Snapchat, which was later removed when Gardaí arrived. The judge described the boy's actions as "sickening" and noted his "unhealthy interest" in extreme male role models that shaped a negative attitude toward women. The boy, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and an adjustment disorder, showed aggressive behaviour at home and school. The sentence will be reviewed in 2038, with release dependent on progress and risk assessment. The court ordered bi‑annual probation reports and psychiatric assessments. The unnamed 17-year-old pleaded guilty.
Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring handed down five life sentences at the Central Criminal Court to family members convicted of murdering Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022. The defendants, including Patrick Dooley, Thomas Dooley Senior, Thomas Dooley Junior, Michael Dooley, and Daniel Dooley, had all pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The judge described the killing as an "honour killing" involving "medieval violence" and noted that no explanation for the death had been proffered. Thomas Dooley Junior was additionally found guilty of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for this offence, backdated from his custody on November 16, 2022, with the term running concurrently to his life sentence. The life sentences for the five adults were backdated to their respective custody dates. A sixth defendant, a male teenager, was not sentenced today as he is expected to seek a judicial review; his matter was adjourned for a mention on October 29. The court heard a victim impact statement from Siobhán Dooley, who stated her husband's last act was telling her to run to save herself. The judge emphasized that the only innocents were the victim, his wife, and their children.
The 48‑year‑old defendant, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, was convicted of rape at his home in the midlands on 7 August 2018. The Central Criminal Court in Tullamore found him guilty after a February trial, and he received a nine‑year jail sentence for the rape, with a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term for assault and false imprisonment, the final year suspended. He appealed, arguing that two "goading" videos taken on his phone before the alleged rape were inadmissible and prejudicial. The Court of Appeal heard the case on 26 July 2024, with counsel for the State maintaining the videos were admissible for credibility, while the defence claimed they were irrelevant and highly prejudicial. The court will decide after the summer break. The defendant continues to deny the offence and has shown no remorse or rehabilitation.
A GP's receptionist, Margaret Dunne, who had worked at Dr Declan Scanlon's surgery in Tullamore, Co Offaly, for nearly 50 years, has won an additional €12,000 from a tribunal. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled in her favor under the Employment Equality Act 1998, finding she was discriminated against on the grounds of age. During her medical leave due to the pandemic, she was replaced by two younger employees in their 40s while she was 65. Ms Dunne informed her employer in May 2021 that she was ready to return to work, but Dr Scanlon requested she undergo a medical checkup. Despite her willingness to comply, she received no further communication from Dr Scanlon. The tribunal noted that Dr Scanlon did not respond to inquiries about her return to work or redundancy payment, which she was entitled to upon the closure of the practice in October 2022.
A 17‑year‑old boy, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 18 months, used a sledgehammer and a lump hammer to bludgeon 51‑year‑old laboratory technician Lorna Woodnutt to death on 29 September 2023 at a rural property outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. He recorded the attack and posted a 17‑second video on Snapchat, sharing it with a "three‑figure number" of contacts before removing it when Gardaí arrived. The video showed the victim's body with severe facial injuries, a large skull hole and brain matter on the floor. The boy also sent a selfie with the body in the background. He pleaded guilty earlier in the month. The court heard that he had called 999 twice after the killing and that his phone contained searches about hammer attacks and psychopath behaviour. The case was adjourned to 3 October, with the defendant to be detained at Oberstown Children Detention Centre pending sentencing.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was convicted in May 2024 of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old girl in 2012. The victim, now 20, requested anonymity. Shorten was also convicted in June of two counts of rape and one of anal rape against two other young women who had ridden in his taxi after a night out in Dublin in 2022. He is due to be sentenced next Monday by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, after Mr Justice Naidoo's unavailability.
A local doctor, Dr Declan Scanlon, is ordered to pay a €40,000 severance to Margaret Dunne, a receptionist who worked at his Tullamore surgery for almost 50 years. Dunne began in March 1973 and worked continuously until the Covid‑19 pandemic forced her to stay home in March 2020. She tried to return in July 2021 but received no response from Scanlon, who had planned to close the practice in October 2022. Dunne applied for a redundancy payment after the closure and again got no reply or a redundancy certificate. The Workplace Relations Commission upheld her complaint under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, ruling that her long service and weekly pay entitled her to the statutory redundancy sum. The calculation of the lump sum will be handled by the Department of Social Protection.
A 17‑year‑old boy, whose name is withheld because he is a minor, pleaded guilty to the murder of Lorna Woodnutt, a woman in her 40s, at a rural property outside Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 29 September 2023. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 8 July 2024. Mr Justice Paul McDermott explained that, as the defendant is under 18, the case is dealt with under The Children's Act and the mandatory life sentence for murder does not apply. The judge read the single charge to the boy, who confirmed he was ready to proceed. Defence counsel James Dwyer SC requested a probation report, a remand period and a sentence date at the end of July. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Michael Delaney SC, noted that a victim impact statement would be presented and that the sentence hearing would last about half a day.
A High Court judge sentenced Ronan O'Grady, 33, to two years' imprisonment for eight counts of sexual assault against his niece, Keely O'Grady, aged six to nine between 2004 and 2008. O'Grady, who was 13 to 17 at the time, pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court. The judge noted the defendant's lack of remorse, his "talented" and "well‑educated" background, and the continued support he received from his family, which the court said had disrupted the victim's family relationships. Keely, now 26, gave a victim impact statement describing long‑term trauma, depression, anxiety and self‑harm, and criticised her grandparents for protecting him. The judge reduced the headline sentence from an initial eight years to two years, citing O'Grady's youth, lack of prior convictions, guilty pleas and low re‑offending risk, and did not suspend any part of the sentence. The sentence was back‑dated to the day he entered custody.
A Roscommon farmer's appeal against his conviction for making a false statement to gardaí has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Gerard Harrington, of Marian Road, Boyle, was convicted in July 2021 at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court of reporting ten cattle missing when they were located in a neighbouring farmer's shed. He had been fined €6,500 in October 2021. The Court of Appeal heard 34 grounds of appeal, including claims that oppressive trial conditions and jury seating arrangements during Covid restrictions warranted a retrial. Mr Justice John Edwards rejected these submissions, finding the prosecution case had been sufficiently strong for jury consideration and that the trial judge had appropriately managed evidentiary issues. The court concluded the trial was satisfactory and the verdict was safe, upholding Harrington's conviction.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, has been granted legal aid to appeal his conviction for the murder of school teacher Ashling Murphy. The Court of Appeal approved legal aid for all 20 applications presented that morning, and Puska will receive the same representation he had at the Central Criminal Court: a solicitor, senior counsel and two junior counsel. His trial concluded with a unanimous jury verdict after he was found to have stabbed Ms Murphy eleven times in the neck and slashed her once with a blade, leaving her to die in the thorns beside the canal towpath. Puska's defence argued that his confession to the Gardaí, made two days after the stabbing while he was under the influence of oxycodone and recovering from abdominal surgery, was involuntary, and objected to the prosecution's use of CCTV footage showing him stalking two women in Tullamore town centre before heading to the canal. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty. Ashling Murphy pleaded not guilty.
A crane hire company, Gabriel O'Brien Crane Hire Ltd, was ordered to pay €14,000 to Enda Fox after the Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal of Fox, who was recovering from a broken pelvis, to be an egregious breach of employment law. Fox, who fell from a crane in June 2022 and was declared fit to return to work, was terminated on 1 August 2022 after he had submitted sick notes and requested a form to claim sick pay. The company's representatives denied all claims of discrimination. The adjudicator noted the company's failure to provide reasonable accommodation and the lack of fair procedures, awarding Fox €10,000 for discrimination and an additional €4,000 for breach of the Terms of Employment Information Act 1994, bringing the total to €14,000. The case highlighted the company's disregard for disability rights and employment obligations.
Four men entered a Dublin secondary school at about 2 pm on 13 October 2022 and violently confronted a teenage boy. CCTV showed the men entering the school, the boy taking a hammer from his bag in self‑defence and fleeing, and the fourth man—who is not yet before the courts—throwing a steel pole at the boy, narrowly missing him. The third man, Josh Neary (22), grabbed the boy's bag and threw it. Staff removed the men from the school; no physical injuries were reported. Garda Aisling Halligan told the court that students were frightened and a staff member retired because of the incident. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced the three men who pleaded guilty to violent disorder to 16 months' imprisonment, suspending the sentence in full for Jack Craig (21) who had no prior convictions and played a minor role. Neary and Scott Purdue (25) received the full 16‑month terms.
A trial date has been set for the wife and brothers of Jozef Puska, who is currently serving a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022. The wife of Jozef Puska, Lucia Istokova, and his brothers Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska are accused of failing to disclose information to gardaí between January 12, 2022, and January 27, 2022, at Tullamore Garda Station. Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person. The trial, which is expected to last up to four weeks, is scheduled for April 28, 2025, and will be heard together. Free legal aid for senior and junior counsel was granted to all five defendants, who were not required to attend the court. The matter was adjourned by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor to a case management list in June. Jozef Puska had pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy, but an unanimous jury found him guilty after just two hours of deliberation.
At the Central Criminal Court, Matthew Cummins appeared on appeal regarding the reactivation of his suspended sentence. The State sought to activate the two-year suspended portion of his nine-year term, which was imposed in September 2021 for impeding the apprehension of an offender. This followed Cummins' guilty plea and sentencing on December 5 last year at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court, where he received two-and-a-half years' imprisonment for criminal damage, with the final year suspended. Cummins, who has 69 previous convictions, had previously admitted to helping Sean Davy, a convicted murderer, by attempting to burn the victim's body to destroy evidence. James Davy, Cummins' co-accused in the original 2014 incident, also had his murder conviction overturned in 2021 and was re-sentenced to nine years with two suspended. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford revoked the two-year suspension but substituted it with a one-year jail term, backdated to December 5 last, with no portion suspended. She noted Cummins' good behaviour and course completion in prison, granting him a further chance despite his high risk of reoffending. Sean Davy remains serving a life sentence for murder.
In a courtroom in Dublin, Ryan Casey, the boyfriend of the 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, delivered a tearful statement after the jury convicted Jozef Puska of murder. Casey described his love for Murphy, their plans to marry and start a family, and the loss he feels. He accused Puska of showing no remorse and called him "the lowest of the low." The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, imposed a mandatory life sentence, noting the seriousness of the crime and the possibility of a whole‑life order. Puska, 33, was found guilty of stabbing Murphy eleven times and slashing her once before leaving her to die near a canal in Tullamore. He will be eligible for parole after 12 years. Casey's statement focused on the personal grief and the impact of Murphy's death on his life.
Jozef Puska, 33, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, has been sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for the murder of 23-year-old school teacher Ashling Murphy. The sentence was handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt following a jury conviction. Puska had pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022. The jury found him guilty after rejecting his claim that he was attacked by a masked man. Evidence placed him at the scene via his bicycle, CCTV footage, and DNA found on the bike and under Ms Murphy's fingernails. Mr Justice Hunt stated that the sentence was "richly deserved" and lamented his lack of power to impose a minimum term, noting that a whole life term would have been considered if he had such authority. He emphasized that the motive remains unknown. During the hearing, victim impact statements were read from Ms Murphy's sister, mother, and boyfriend, Ryan Casey, who described Puska as showing zero remorse. The court noted that no connection existed between the defendant and the victim, despite online rumors. Puska was led away by prison officers after the sentencing.
Cathal Murphy, brother of the murdered Ashling Murphy, described the convicted killer Jozef Puska as a "vicious monster" who inflicted "incomprehensible violence" on his victim. Speaking at the Criminal Courts of Justice after Puska's conviction for the January 2023 murder of Ashling while she walked along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Mr Murphy thanked the jury for their patience and resilience during the trial. He said the verdict delivers justice but will not bring Ashling back or heal the family's wounds, and urged the media to respect their privacy as they continue to grieve. Ryan Casey, Ashling's boyfriend, also thanked the family, friends, community, Gardaí, the prosecution team, the presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt and court support staff for their support and for the thorough investigation that led to the conviction.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, was found guilty of murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy by stabbing her 11 times in the neck on 12 January 2022. The Central Criminal Court jury delivered a unanimous verdict after two hours of deliberation. Puska, who had pleaded not guilty, was taken to prison by officers as the verdict was announced. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment on 17 November. The jury's decision was praised by the Murphy family, who attended every day of the trial. Evidence presented included CCTV footage of Puska's bicycle near the scene, DNA on the bike and under Murphy's fingernails, and his fingerprints. Puska's defence claimed he was attacked by a masked man, a claim rejected by the jury. No motive was offered. The sentencing date was set for 17 November.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, the prosecution presented evidence that Puska stalked and murdered Ashling Murphy on the Grand Canal towpath on 13 January. Puska allegedly dragged Murphy into briars, stabbed her 11 times in the neck and slashed her once, causing fatal blood loss. Witnesses, including teacher Jenna Stack, described seeing a man crouched over Murphy, holding her down, and Puska's DNA was found under Murphy's fingernails. Puska was arrested in Tullamore, questioned in hospital, and during the trial he repeatedly denied involvement, later claiming he had been stabbed elsewhere and that he had confessed to the murder. The court heard conflicting statements and the prosecution urged the jury to reject Puska's lies and convict him of murder.
The jury for the 17‑day trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, began deliberations after a 25‑minute session. Judge Tony Hunt reminded jurors that a unanimous verdict is required and urged them to base their decision solely on the evidence heard. He explained that if they are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of Puska's guilt, they must acquit, and if they are satisfied, they must convict. The judge highlighted the prosecution's case that Puska stabbed Murphy repeatedly, and noted Puska's own testimony that he was attacked by an unknown man who then stabbed Murphy. He also discussed the alleged confession Puska made in hospital, the reliability of that statement, and the DNA evidence linking Puska to the victim. The jury will receive transcripts of Puska's testimony, witness statements, and expert evidence before returning tomorrow for further deliberation. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt addressed a jury hearing the trial of Jozef Puska, who denies murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy. The judge reiterated the legal principles and guided the jury through the evidence presented, including an alleged confession by Puska, DNA found under Murphy's fingernails, interview evidence from Gardaí after his arrest, and eye‑witness testimony at the scene. Puska, 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder that occurred on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. The defence has questioned the reliability of Puska's alleged confession, recorded on 14 January when he was in St James's Hospital. The judge noted that while the words spoken were recorded, the defence raised concerns about their truth, accuracy and reliability, citing an expert who suggested Puska may have been confused or experiencing "subtle delirium" due to surgery, pain relief medication, the unfamiliar hospital environment and a language barrier.
Alex Almajanu, 23, received a fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to endangerment, two breaches of Covid regulations, dangerous driving, not holding a driver's license, and criminal damage on the basis of recklessness committed on April 25, 2020. The offences involved fleeing a checkpoint in County Clare and subsequently leading gardaí on a high-speed chase across the midlands, which included driving at 200 km/hr and causing over €13,000 in damage to a patrol car. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as "deplorable" and noted that public resources were expended during a national crisis. While acknowledging the defendant's mitigation, including his recovery from drug addiction and role as a father, the judge stated the offences warranted a headline sentence of three years. She imposed a sentence of two years and three months, suspending the entire term for three years on the condition that Almajanu engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for five years. Defence counsel highlighted that the defendant was under the influence of drugs at the time but is now drug-free and caring for his infant daughter.
In her closing speech to the jury, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions described Jozef Puska as an 'inveterate liar' and said that his account of trying to save Ashling Murphy was a 'structure of lies and mistruths' that were 'foul and contemptible in their nature'. She pointed to evidence, including DNA found under Ms Murphy's fingernails and Mr Puska's admission to gardai that he killed her, to argue that the only rational conclusion is that he murdered her. Mr Puska's defence, led by Michael Bowman SC, urged the jury to be cautious in interpreting the evidence and suggested that the alleged confession made by Mr Puska may not be reliable due to medical factors. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented by both sides. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, who denies murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, the defence has finished its evidence. Dr Johann Grundlingh, an accident and emergency specialist, testified that Puska's alleged confession may have been unreliable because he was in a post‑operative state, receiving opioid painkillers, and possibly experiencing subtle delirium. He also raised concerns about language barriers and the unfamiliar hospital environment. Dr Grundlingh noted that no formal assessment of Puska's fitness to be interviewed was carried out. Judge Tony Hunt told the jury that they would hear the prosecution's closing speech on Tuesday, followed by the defence and the judge's charge, and that the case would be handed over to the jury on Wednesday afternoon. Puska, aged 33, remains not guilty of the murder of Ms Murphy, which occurred on 12 January 2022 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, gave evidence at the Ashling Murphy trial claiming he was a witness to her murder. He testified that he was stabbed three times by the same attacker who killed the 23‑year‑old teacher. Puska described being pushed off his bike, stabbed in the stomach, and later seeing the attacker assault a woman before fleeing. He said he tried to help Murphy, using her shawl to cover injuries, but left after a few moments. Puska admitted lying to Gardaí about being stabbed in Blanchardstown and apologized, citing fear for his family. He denied confessing to murder in St James's Hospital and said he could not recall such admissions. The trial continues with further witnesses to be called. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, took the stand in his own defence at the Ashling Murphy murder trial. He denied any intent to harm the 23‑year‑old teacher, stating he had "no bad intention whatsoever" when he was cycling behind Annemarie Kelly, a witness who claimed Puska was following her. Puska explained that he had left his home in Mucklagh at 11:30 a.m. on a push bike, travelled to Tullamore, and moved around the town, looking for his brother. He described the bike he rode—a black Falcon Storm push bike with a green needle—as the one found near the murder site. Puska also said he would not comment on questions about his DNA found under Murphy's fingernails or his presence at the scene, after being interviewed by Gardaí under the Criminal Justice Act 1984. The prosecution closed its case, and Puska's testimony will continue tomorrow. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
During a trial for the murder of school teacher Ashling Murphy, the accused, Jozef Puska, told Gardaí that he had never seen her. He repeated this denial when questioned by detectives six days after the stabbing. Puska, 33, had earlier admitted to the murder in a hospital bed, stating "I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer" and that he had "cut" Murphy. He has pleaded not guilty. Garda detectives interviewed him five times over two days following his arrest on suspicion of the murder. In the current hearing, the prosecution presented an email from a different individual claiming responsibility for the murder, but Gardaí found no link to Puska. The trial proceeds before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Dr Lorna Flanagan presented DNA evidence linking Jozef Puska to Ashling Murphy's murder. Swabs taken from under Murphy's fingernails yielded a Y‑chromosome profile that matched the Y‑STR profile from Puska's blood and swabs collected when he was in custody at Tullamore Garda Station on 18 January. The probability of an unrelated match was estimated at about one in 14,000. Puska, aged 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Murphy, who was killed on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women. The court has not yet reached a verdict.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Jozef Puska, an interpreter, Miroslav Sedlacek, testified that Puska was emotional and spoke with a trembling voice after confessing to the murder of Ashling Murphy. Sedlacek described the conversation that took place on the evening of 14 January 2022, two days after Murphy was stabbed near the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Puska admitted to the killing, stating he did not intend it and expressed remorse. He also asked about the safety of his family and whether Murphy's relatives would seek revenge. The interpreter noted that Puska's voice changed during the interview, becoming more disjointed and low‑spirited. The testimony was cross‑examined by defence counsel, who confirmed that the interpreter had described the police interaction as an interview rather than interrogation. The trial continues before a jury. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
During the Ashling Murphy murder trial, Garda Detective Sergeant Brian Jennings recorded that accused Jozef Puska admitted he committed the murder, saying "I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer" and expressed regret, stating "I feel guilty and I say I regret it." Puska, aged 33, was a person of interest and had been questioned at St James's Hospital after the victim's death on 12 January 2022. He claimed he had been attacked by two men in Blanchardstown, sustaining stomach injuries, and that he had no memory of the murder. Puska also said he had been planning to meet a woman in Dublin and that he had been told he was a suspect. The trial has not yet reached a verdict. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Jozef Puska, 33, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Ashling Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Prosecution evidence included Fitbit data from Ms Murphy's watch, which recorded erratic or violent movements at 3.21pm before her heart rate ceased. Witness Rostislav Pokuta testified that Puska visited his home around 9pm on the night of the alleged incident, appearing wet, frightened, and covered in scratches. Pokuta stated he initially withheld this information from gardai due to fear for his family's safety amid an "ugly atmosphere" in Tullamore, but later reported the meeting. Puska was driven to Mucklagh and identified on CCTV. Defence counsel suggested Puska had suffered stab wounds to his stomach. Det Gda Ciaran Byrne presented the Fitbit data, while Det Sgt Paul McDonnell described interviewing Puska at St James's Hospital, where Puska alleged he was stabbed in Blanchardstown by two men. The trial is ongoing.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, a 33‑year‑old accused of murdering 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, Annemarie Kelly testified that she felt uncomfortable when Puska cycled behind her very slowly and stared at her. She described the stare as intimidating and noted his physical appearance: about five feet seven or eight inches tall, slim build, shaved head, black stubble, dark eyebrows, sallow skin and dark eyes. Kelly said she tried to avoid him by walking fast, jogging past him, and eventually crossing a canal bridge to escape. She also reported contacting gardai after the incident. Puska denies the murder charge. The trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women. The case remains at the trial stage.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Ashling Murphy died before paramedics could attempt resuscitation after she was found with 12 sharp force wounds to her neck in the undergrowth by the Grand Canal in Tullamore. CCTV footage showed a garda believing he could see the accused, Jozef Puska, moving in the same direction as two women, reaching into his pockets and appearing to have something in his hand before returning it to his pocket. The prosecution presented footage of Ashling's movements from leaving work at Scoil Naomh Colmcille at 2.37 pm to arriving at the Daingean Road car park at 2.50 pm and walking to the towpath. Puska, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Murphy on 12 January 2022. The trial continues next week before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Ashling Murphy died from 12 stab wounds to the right side of her neck, with injuries extending from under the right ear to above the collar bone. The wounds severed her voice box, damaged nerves controlling speech and swallowing, and damaged the carotid artery and jugular vein, causing severe blood loss and cardio‑respiratory arrest. Small defensive injuries were noted on her hands, suggesting she tried to protect herself. The pathologist stated no contributory factors and could not exclude strangulation, but no obvious signs were present. The case involves Jozef Puska, 33, who pleaded not guilty to her murder. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of twelve. The court heard police accounts of the discovery of Murphy's body in a ditch near Cappincur, Tullamore, and the subsequent resuscitation attempts that were ultimately abandoned.
The first Garda to arrive at the scene where schoolteacher Ashling Murphy was found unresponsive in undergrowth by the Grand Canal spent ten minutes performing chest compressions. Garda Tom Dunne, who was in a patrol car, arrived shortly after a distressed call and found Ms Murphy face‑up in a ditch five or six feet down a steep slope. She was wearing a navy jacket, a pair of blue runners and a pink woolly hat, and had blood in her hair and on the surrounding briars. Dunne undid her jacket and began CPR, checking for a pulse that he described as "very faint". He alternated chest compressions with a colleague because only one officer could work at a time. When paramedics arrived they moved Ms Murphy to the walkway but, finding no signs of life, they stopped treatment. Jozef Puska, 33, has pleaded not guilty to her murder.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that Puska was attempting to help Murphy stop bleeding when a jogger arrived. Witness Jenna Stack testified that she saw Puska "trying to assist" Murphy, but she disagreed, describing him as aggressive, shouting "get away" and holding the girl down while she kicked her legs. Stack said Murphy was distressed and moving only her legs. She also noted Puska's foreign accent, shaved head and dark eyebrows. Bowman suggested Puska's shout was pain from a cut leg, not aggression, and that Murphy had reached for Puska's forearms to stop bleeding. Stack maintained she saw no weapon and that Puska could have asked for help. The case continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore, a 48‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for raping his former partner during a 10‑hour false imprisonment ordeal. The defendant, who was previously convicted of assault and false imprisonment in 2022, was found guilty of rape on 7 August 2018. He had detained the woman in his apartment against her wishes, assaulted her, and forced sexual contact. The court noted the victim's physical and emotional suffering, her fear of leaving the house, and her panic attacks. The judge, citing the man's lack of remorse and prior convictions, imposed a headline sentence of ten years, suspended one year, and ordered two years of post‑release supervision with mandatory sex‑offender treatment. The defendant denied the rape and had not shown remorse or undertaken rehabilitation before sentencing.
In the Central Criminal Court, Jozef Puska, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old Ashling Murphy, who was stabbed 11 times on the right side of her neck near the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. Prosecutor Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC presented evidence that Y‑STR DNA from under Murphy's fingernails matched Puska's DNA, that a bright green Falcon Storm mountain bike belonging to Puska was found beside the body, and that CCTV footage showed Puska cycling in the area hours before the killing. Puska was interviewed at St James's Hospital after being admitted with stab wounds he claimed were from an attack in Blanchardstown; he later admitted in the hospital to having murdered Murphy, saying "I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer." The jury will consider whether the evidence shows Puska intended to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
A 33‑year‑old man, Jozef Puska, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy, who was allegedly killed near the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. The trial will be held at the Central Criminal Court and is expected to last up to five weeks. A jury of twelve, sworn this afternoon, will hear the case. Judge Tony Hunt warned potential jurors that they must not have engaged in commentary about the case online or on social media and that any prior knowledge of Puska's hospital stay at St James's Hospital in Dublin should be disclosed. The prosecution will present witnesses from the Tullamore area, the midlands, various Dublin Garda stations and forensic science laboratories, with medical personnel possibly called to give evidence. The defence will be represented by Michael Bowman SC. The trial is scheduled to open tomorrow.
The Central Criminal Court will hear the murder trial of 32‑year‑old Jozef Puska, accused of killing 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. Puska, who lives at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is represented by Michael Bowman SC. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, will preside. Once the jury is empaneled, the trial is expected to last about four weeks. Murphy, a recent graduate of Mary Immaculate College, was jogging beside the Grand Canal when she was allegedly fatally assaulted.
In a Court of Appeal decision on 28 July 2023, the €25,000 fine imposed on Palfinger Ireland Ltd for health and safety breaches related to a crane incident that caused the drowning of two stonemasons was upheld as not unduly lenient. The incident, which occurred on 29 August 2015 on the Thomond Bridge, involved a steel cage that fell into the River Shannon, killing Bryan Whelan (29) and TJ O'Herlihy (36). A third worker, Paul Murphy, survived. Palfinger supplied the crane to Nationwide Crane Hire, which was fined €200,000 for similar breaches. The Court of Appeal rejected the State's argument that the fine was too low, noting that the sentencing judge had considered aggravating factors and the long period of safe operation of the crane. The appeal was dismissed, confirming the fine as appropriate under the 1993 Act.
A man's conviction for rape and sexual assault has been quashed by the Court of Appeal following concerns about jury impartiality and the handling of evidence at trial. Stephen Lynch, with an address in Offaly, was convicted in May 2021 at the Central Criminal Court of raping his then partner's sister, aged 15, at a property in Athlone, County Roscommon, in October 2015. He was also convicted of sexual assault and assault causing harm relating to incidents in December 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The appeal court heard that jurors reported concerns they had been photographed in the car park outside court, though a phone retrieved by gardaí contained no images. The trial judge declined to discharge the jury after they indicated the matter had been resolved. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy stated the court harboured disquiet that no proper inquiry was conducted into what had occurred or how it was resolved.
In 2022, Palfinger Ireland Ltd was fined €25,000 for health and safety breaches after a crane supplied by the company was used in an incident that caused the drowning of two stonemasons, Bryan Whelan (29) and TJ O'Herlihy (36), on the River Shannon in 2015. The incident involved a steel cage that fell into the water, and a safety mechanism on the crane failed. The fine was imposed by Limerick Circuit Court, which had unlimited fine jurisdiction. Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, the operator of the crane, was fined €200,000 for similar breaches. The Court of Appeal heard arguments that the fine for Palfinger was too low, with the Director of Public Prosecutions claiming the sentencing judge erred in not setting a higher headline fine and in treating the missing manual chapter as a mitigating factor. The appeal was reserved for a later decision.
A 55‑year‑old man was found guilty by a jury of two counts of oral rape of his six‑year‑old daughter and one count of inviting a child to sexual touching. The offences occurred at his home between June 2020 and January 2021. He denied all charges and does not accept the verdict. Mr Justice David Keane imposed a ten‑year sentence for the two rape counts and a seven‑year sentence for the invitation to sexual touching, all to run concurrently and backdated to March 24. He noted the victim's young age, the breach of trust, and the profound harm caused. The defendant is a low‑to‑moderate risk of re‑offending, will be a registered sex offender, and must undergo three years of post‑release supervision. No portion of the sentence was suspended because the defendant does not accept the jury's verdict. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore.
Enoch Burke, a former teacher at Wilson's Hospital secondary school, secured a temporary High Court injunction halting the hearing of his dismissal appeal. The matter was adjourned until the following Tuesday. Burke, who represented himself, argued that ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie, a member of the three-person appeal panel, should recuse himself due to alleged bias regarding transgender issues. He also claimed the panel failed to obtain a WhatsApp video clip from the school board, which he argued was crucial evidence. The other panel members are Sean Ó Longáin, the chair, and Jack Cleary, the Management Body representative. Justice Eileen Roberts granted the ex-parte application, ruling that Burke had raised fair issues but making no findings of fact on his claims. Burke had previously been jailed for 108 days in Mountjoy Prison for contempt of court after refusing to comply with an order restraining him from attending the school. He was later fined €700 daily for continued breaches. The school board had dismissed Burke for gross misconduct, a decision he denies, claiming his dismissal stems from his objection to using specific pronouns for a student.