Courts / Offaly / Report

Jozef Puska's sisters-in-law couldn't have known and didn't believe he murdered Ashling Murphy when they burned clothes, defence say

Date
2025-06-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Mucklagh

County
Offaly

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Marek Puska, Lubomir Puska Jnr, Jozefina Grundzova, and Viera Gaziova is ongoing, with the judge's charge to the jury currently underway. All four accused, who have pleaded not guilty to all charges, are alleged to have been involved in the aftermath of the murder of Ashling Murphy by Jozef Puska in January 2022. Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr are accused of withholding information relating to the murder, while Ms Grundzova and Ms Gaziova are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution by burning his clothes. Defence counsel argued that the women did not believe Jozef Puska was capable of murder and acted on second-hand information without knowledge of the crime. Counsel for Lubomir Puska Jnr contended that he delayed reporting information due to family loyalty but ultimately cooperated with gardai. The prosecution maintains that all accused knew of the murder shortly after it occurred and acted to prevent Jozef Puska's prosecution. The matter is not concluded; the judge's charge is in progress and will continue tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jozef Puska's sisters-in-law couldn't have known and didn't believe he murdered Ashling Murphy when they burned clothes, defence say. Charges or matters: all charges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
January 2022 Incident
January 14 Other
January 18 Other
2025-06-10 Publication

Why: At that time, about 24 hours after the murder, gardai also didn't know because they had arrested and were questioning the wrong man, Mr Murray said. CNI source report