Courts / Offaly / Report

Jozef Puska's sister-in-law said bloodstained t-shirt was burned, trial hears

Date
2025-06-04
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Tullamore
County
Offaly

Summary

At the Central Criminal Court, the trial of Jozefina Grundzova, Marek Puska, Viera Gaziova, and Lubomir Puska Jnr continued. All four accused, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, are alleged to have impeded the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska, who was previously convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy in January 2022. Grundzova and Gaziova face charges of assisting in burning clothes, including a bloodstained t-shirt, while Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr are charged with withholding information from detectives. Evidence presented by Detective Garda James Duffy indicated that Grundzova told gardaí that Gaziova received a phone call instructing her to burn specific items. Grundzova stated she observed blood on the lower half of a t-shirt and that she herself threw socks into the fire. The court heard that the accused were living with Jozef Puska and his family in Co Offaly at the time. Presiding Judge Caroline Biggs adjourned the proceedings, informing the jury that they would not be required again until the trial resumes on June 9th.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jozef Puska's sister-in-law said bloodstained t-shirt was burned, trial hears. Charges or matters: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by assisting in burning his clothes; the same offence; all charges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Jozefina Grundzova

Convicted Person

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by assisting in burning his clothes; the same offence; all charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Lubomir Puska Jnr

Accused

Charges: the same offence; all charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Marek Puska

Accused

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by assisting in burning his clothes; the same offence; all charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Viera Gaziova

Accused

Charges: the same offence; all charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Incident
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Trial

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