Courts / Offaly / Report

Jury in trial of Puska family members pauses for weekend

Summary

In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, jurors paused their deliberations over the weekend. The case concerns family members of Jozef Puska, who murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy in January 2022 and is serving a life sentence. The accused—Lubomir Puska Jnr (38), Marek Puska (36), and their wives Viera Gaziova (40) and Jozefina Grundzova (32)—are charged with withholding information from gardai and impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef by burning his clothes. All pleaded not guilty. The jury asked the judge whether the accused needed to know their actions were unlawful to be guilty, and whether protecting the family could be a reasonable excuse. Justice Caroline Biggs explained that preventing Jozef's apprehension or prosecution cannot be a reasonable excuse, though self‑incrimination may be. She advised the jury to consider evidence beyond witness statements but warned against speculation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury in trial of Puska family members pauses for weekend. Charges or matters: all charges; withholding information from gardai; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by burning his clothes. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 12, 2022 Incident
• January 2022 Incident
• 2025-06-13 Publication

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

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Ashling Murderer loses bid to have life sentence backdated
• Scope of Jozef Puska's conviction appeal may change, lawyers tell court
• New date set for Ashling Murphy murderer's appeal
• Ashling Murphy murderer delays appeal by changing barristers days before hearing
• State given more time to file response to Aishling Murphy murderer's 'extensive' appeal
• Jozef Puska gets date to appeal Ashling Murphy murder conviction

Read the original CNI report