Courts / Offaly / Report

Ashling Murphy died from 12 knife wounds to the neck, pathologist tells jury

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ashling Murphy died from 12 knife wounds to the neck, pathologist tells jury. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 12th, 2022 Other
• 2023-10-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report