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Jozef Puska gets date to appeal Ashling Murphy murder conviction

Summary

Court of Appeal President Ms Justice Caroline Costello has fixed a hearing date for Jozef Puska's appeal against his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy. The appeal is scheduled for April 23 and 24, 2026. Puska, who pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12, 2022, was convicted by a jury and is serving a life sentence. His legal team indicated that submissions are advanced but await two relevant Court of Appeal judgments. Ms Justice Costello noted that waiting indefinitely was not viable and set the date to progress the listing of cases. The appeal is expected to last two days. Puska has been granted legal aid for the appeal. In related matters, his brothers Marek and Lubomir Puska were each sentenced to 30 months in prison for withholding information. Their wives, Viera Gaziova and Jozefina, received sentences of 24 and 21 months respectively for burning evidence. Additionally, Puska's partner, Lucia Istokova, pleaded guilty to withholding information and was sentenced to 20 months. These sentences were handed down earlier this year, prior to the start of the relatives' trial.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jozef Puska gets date to appeal Ashling Murphy murder conviction. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022; withholding information in May of this year, before the start of her relatives' trial. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• January 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 23 Incident
• November 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 12th, 2022 Other
• 2025-12-12 Publication

Why: No motive has been offered for the killing and lawyers in the case and Ms Murphy's family have stressed repeatedly that there was no connection between Puska and Ms Murphy, despite internet rumours of such a link. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report