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Jury to continue deliberating in trial of Puska family members

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court case, a jury will continue deliberating on the trial of four Puska family members charged with obstructing the arrest of Jozef Puska, who murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy. Jozef, convicted of murder and serving a life sentence, was stabbed and slashed by Jozef on January 12, 2022. His brothers, Lubomir Puska Jnr (38) and Marek Puska (36), face charges of withholding information, while their wives, Viera Gaziova (40) and Jozefina Grundzova (32), are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution by burning Jozef's clothes. All accused pleaded not guilty. The indictment was amended to specify that the brothers knew Jozef had committed the murder or another arrestable offence. Prosecutor Anne Marie Lawlor SC argued that the brothers failed to disclose vital information, while defence counsel Karl Finnegan SC highlighted the right to remain silent to avoid self‑incrimination. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, will resume deliberations tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury to continue deliberating in trial of Puska family members. Charges or matters: all charges. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 12, 2022 Other
• January 2022 Incident
• 2025-06-12 Publication

Why: 30pm on the night of the murder because Jozef told Marek. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report