Jozef Puska evidence will show he 'fled Tullamore' for Dublin after Ashling Murphy murder, court hears

• Published date: 18 October 2023
• Author: Michael O'Toole
• Publication title: DublinLive (Ireland)

"I did it. I murdered. I am the murderer…I didn't do it intentionally, I feel guilty and I am sorry," the jury heard he told gardai. The Central Criminal Court also heard Mr Puska's DNA was found under Ms Murphy's fingernails – and there was a one in 14,000 chance of it belonging to anyone else

And it heard it is accepted that Mr Puska's green Falcon Storm bicycle was located beside Ms Murphy when her body was found on the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12, 2022. The jury was also told that Ms Murphy, who was a teacher in nearby Durrow, Co Laois, died from 12 wounds – 11 of which were stab injuries to her neck.

Mr Puska, 33, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12, 2022. Lead prosecutor Anne Marie Lawlor told the jury that Mr Puska admitted the murder while in hospital on January 14 – two days after the teacher's death.

She says he also told gardai: "When she pass, I cut her, I cut her neck, she panic, I panic. Will I go for ten years?" Ms Lawlor said he made the admission to gardai in St James's Hospital, Dublin where he had been admitted on January 13 with a wound to the abdomen.

The jury heard Mr Puska, 33, was taken to the hospital and claimed he had been stabbed in Blanchardstown, west Dublin on January 13.

But Ms Lawlor said that was a "pack of lies" designed to conceal the truth of his involvement in murdering Ms Murphy.

While in hospital, Ms Lawlor said Detective Garda Brian Jennings spoke to Mr Puska with the aid of a Slovakian interpreter who was on loudspeaker on the officer's...