Courts / Dublin / Report
Jozef Puska's partner's life imploded when 'loving' and 'devoted father' revealed as murderer, court told
Summary
Ms Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned the sentencing of five defendants to October 22, warning them to prepare for the real risk of imprisonment. Lucia Istokova, who pleaded guilty to withholding information regarding the murder of Ashling Murphy, faces a maximum five-year sentence. Her counsel requested a fully suspended sentence, citing her motivation to protect her children, though the judge noted a probation report stating she initially denied wrongdoing to avoid prison. Prosecution counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC confirmed Istokova, along with Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska, faces a maximum five-year penalty for withholding information. The other three defendants, including Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova, who pleaded not guilty to burning clothes to impede prosecution, face a maximum ten-year sentence. Counsel for the not-guilty defendants highlighted the impact of imprisoning six parents with 14 children and difficulties faced by foreigners in Irish prisons. The court will also hear statements from the Murphy family on the adjournment date. Jozef Puska, convicted of murder, is serving a life sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jozef Puska's partner's life imploded when 'loving' and 'devoted father' revealed as murderer, court told. Charges or matters: minimise the likelihood of a prison sentence; all charges; withholding information in May this year before the commencement of the trial. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 22 Adjournment
- January 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 17 Other
- 2025-10-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: minimise the likelihood of a prison sentence; all charges; withholding information in May this year before the commencement of the trial (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: While she accepts that she has committed an offence and that her actions were wrong, Mr FitzGerald asked Ms Justice Caroline Biggs to consider a fully suspended sentence. Ms Justice Biggs asked Mr FitzGerald to explain why a probation report for Istokova states that in her first appointment she denied any wrongdoing and said she only pleaded guilty to minimise the likelihood of a prison sentence.; Ms Justice Biggs adjourned the matter to October 22 and warned the families to get their affairs in order ahead of that date due to the real risk that they will be sent to prison.
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