Courts / Offaly / Report

Ashling Murphy accused told 'foul and contemptible' lies, prosecution tell jury

Date
2023-11-07

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tullamore

County
Offaly

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ashling Murphy accused told 'foul and contemptible' lies, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 12th, 2022 Incident
January 13th Incident
January 12th Incident
January 18th Incident
2023-11-07 Publication

Why: Mr Bowman said there is medical evidence suggesting that the alleged confession made by Mr Puska cannot be relied on and, he said, there is no evidence that Mr Puska's DNA was under Ms Murphy's fingernails because she scratched him. CNI source report