Courts / Tipperary / Report

Fatal stab wound was over 25cm deep, woman's murder trial hears

Summary

In a murder trial, the jury heard that a father‑of‑one, Audrius Pukas, 40, was stabbed to death at The Malthouse, Roscrea, on 20 November 2016. The accused, Inga Ozolina, 48, pleaded not guilty. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that the fatal wound penetrated Pukas's left chest to a depth of 25.5 cm, cutting the rib cage, left lung, heart, aortic valve, left main coronary artery and aorta, and that a massive blood collection in the left chest cavity caused rapid death. Two additional superficial wounds were found on the left chest and right upper arm. Pukas had bruising on the right face and lower lip, and modest alcohol levels were noted. The jury was told the stabbing force was moderate and the victim's left arm had to be raised for the fatal wound to be inflicted. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a 12‑person jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Fatal stab wound was over 25cm deep, woman's murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering her boyfriend Audrius Pukas (40) at The Malthouse, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, on November 20, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 20, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-05-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Jury unanimously convicts school bus operators of colluding to drive prices higher
• Without price fixing accused 'there would be less drivers to bring children to school,' defence lawyer tells jury
• School bus operators attempted to 'load the dice' to distort market, prosecution tell jury
• School bus anti-competition trial not the stuff of 'Hollywood' but does affect everyone, prosecution tell jury
• Five go on trial accused of anti-competition practices in school bus services
• 89-year-old jailed for repeatedly raping girl in 1990s

Read the original CNI report