Courts / Offaly / Report

Jozef Puska's relatives now accept verdict and won't appeal convictions, court told

Date
2025-07-07

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Mucklagh

County
Offaly

Summary

The Central Criminal Court has adjourned the sentencing of four family members convicted in connection with the murder of Ashling Murphy to October 7. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs set the date after hearing that the defendants accept the jury's verdict and will not appeal their convictions. Lubomir Puska Jnr and Marek Puska, who pleaded not guilty, were found guilty of withholding crucial information from gardai. Their wives, Viera Gaziova and Jozefina Grundzova, also pleaded not guilty and were convicted of burning bloodstained clothes to impede the prosecution. Lucia Istokova, Jozef Puska's wife, pleaded guilty to withholding information. Counsel for the appellants confirmed their clients now accept the verdicts and have engaged with Probation Services. Ms Justice Biggs extended legal aid to facilitate the preparation of psychological reports, noting she could handle sentencing in one stage or two. She opted for a single date to ensure all probation and psychological reports are available. The matter was adjourned to October 7 for sentence, where the court hopes to have all necessary reports in hand. Jozef Puska, who murdered Ms Murphy in January 2022, is serving a life sentence. The four family members were living with him and their children in Co Offaly at the time of the offences.