Courts / Offaly / Report
'I am the murderer': Jozef Puska made admission, prosecution tell jury
Summary
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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I am the murderer': Jozef Puska made admission, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 12 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 18 Incident
- January 12th, 2022 Other
- January 14 Incident
- January 12th Incident
- 2023-10-17 Publication
Why: Ms Lawlor said the jury will not hear much more about Ms Lawlor or those she left behind because the focus of the trial will be on Mr Puska and "what we say is the commission of the murder by him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- St James's Hospital
- was questioned at Tullamore Garda Station
- Tullamore
- and taken to Tullamore Garda Station
- Armagh Road
Topics
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