Courts / Offaly / Report

Jury could begin deliberating in Ashling Murphy trial this week

Date
2023-11-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tullamore

County
Offaly

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury could begin deliberating in Ashling Murphy trial this week. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 12th, 2022 Other
January 13th Other
January 18th Other
2023-11-06 Publication

Why: He said he is of the opinion that Mr Puska may not have been in a fit state to be interviewed by gardai at that time because of the effects of the post-operative state combined with pain relief drugs that he was administered. CNI source report