Northern Ireland

Jozef Puska guilty of Ashling Murphy murder

Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore, was a talented musician
Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore, was a talented musician

Jozef Puska has been found guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin of murdering schoolteacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in January last year.

Ms Murphy (23) was killed while exercising on a canal path in Tullamore on the afternoon of January 12 2022.

Puska (33) of Lynally Grove in Mucklagh, Tullamore, had pleaded not guilty to her murder.

The jury of nine men and three women at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin reached their unanimous verdict after beginning deliberations yesterday.

Judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt thanked the jury for their service and exempted them from further duty for 20 years.

He said the prompt verdict reflected that it was a straightforward case.

He said he agreed with the verdict and was satisfied it was correct.

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However, he said there was no doubt the case was "difficult and upsetting".

Justice Hunt told the jury "we have evil in this room" after Jozef Puska was found guilty of murdering Ashling Murphy.

He said: "There will be a day of reckoning for Puska."

 Jozef Puska had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy
 Jozef Puska had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy

The judge said the case dealing with Ms Murphy's killing was particularly difficult given "the kind of person that she obviously was".

He said primary school teachers loved children and her GAA top showed her love of sport.

He told the court that to lose a child was unnatural.

Speaking of the Murphy family, he said: "Their position is unenviable. How their child was taken away, to consider what happened here is enough to make you physically ill."

The jury were applauded as they exited the chamber as Ms Murphy's mother held up a framed photograph of her daughter.

The judge said he had asked for silence but said the applause was "understandable".

Women's Aid welcomed the conviction of Puska.

In a statement, the charity said: "When Puska senselessly took Ashling Murphy's life at 4.30pm in broad daylight while she was out on a run, it sent a shockwave through communities in Ireland.

"That this could happen tapped into a visceral feeling that so many girls and women are socialised to feel - that the risk of male violence is everywhere. That nowhere is safe.

"The murder of Ashling Murphy was a shocking example of dangers posed to women and the case put a spotlight on the inherent risk of male violence in society. Every woman should have the right to be safe, both in their own homes and in their communities.

"One man goes to jail today but this will not bring Ashling back or compensate for her heart-rending loss. Effective criminal justice sanctions are vital and we truly hope this offers some measure of justice and closure to Ashling's family and friends."