Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old father-of-five from Slovakia, has been found guilty of the murder of 23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy. The jury unanimously convicted Puska of the random stabbing, which occurred on January 12, 2022, as the victim was walking along the Grand Canal in Cappincur, Tullamore.
During the trial, the judge expressed his gratitude to the jury for swiftly dismissing Puska’s “nonsense” and ensuring that justice was served. The judge acknowledged the emotional impact on both families, with Puska’s relatives visibly upset in the courtroom, while the victim’s family sought solace in each other’s support.
Addressing the court, Mr. Justice Hunt recognised the immense difficulty faced by the victim’s family due to the widespread attention surrounding the case. He highlighted the exceptional qualities of the victim, describing her as someone who embodied the positive aspects of a community.
Losing a child is an unnatural tragedy, the judge emphasised, remarking that while illness or accidents might be reconcilable over time, the family’s position in this instance was unenviable. The judge unequivocally condemned the act, remarking, “We have evil in this room.”
In concluding his address to the jury, Justice Hunt informed them that he would consider victim impact statements from the Murphy family before determining Puska’s sentence. He reminded the jury that the penalty for murder is a mandatory life sentence.
The judge concluded by reassuring the jury that they would not be called to serve again for another 20 years, unless they voluntarily chose to do so.
As the jury left the courtroom, the Murphy family applauded and held up a photo of their beloved Ashling, honouring her memory and expressing their gratitude for the jury’s verdict.
The sentencing is scheduled for November 17.
