Ashling Murphy: Man sentenced to life for Irish teacher's murder

ashling-murphy:-man-sentenced-to-life-for-irish-teacher's-murder
Ashling Murphy: Man sentenced to life for Irish teacher's murder

Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovakian national, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of Irish schoolteacher Ashling Murphy. He was found guilty by a Dublin court for stabbing the 23-year-old 11 times as she jogged on the banks of the Grand Canal near Tullamore in County Offaly in January 2022. Puska had no prior criminal record in Ireland or Slovakia, and had claimed during the trial that he was attempting to help Murphy after she was attacked by another man who then stabbed him. The court heard that Puska and Murphy had no prior connection to each other.

The sentencing judge, Tony Hunt, said that if he were able to hand down a whole-life sentence, Puska’s offence would “be richly deserved”. Hunt praised the clarity and independence of the Slovak translator who heard Puska’s confession, whilst also acknowledging the significance of DNA evidence found under Murphy’s fingernails. The murder sparked protests and vigils across Ireland and the UK, and has renewed calls for the Irish government to tackle the issue of violence against women.

During the sentencing, Murphy’s boyfriend, Ryan Casey, read a victim impact statement that described the couple’s plans to build a future together and referenced their intention of building a house, getting married, and starting a family. He also spoke of his vulnerability, having lost “everything”, since the murder, adding that he has nightmares, feels short tempered and struggles with seeing or eating with knives. Murphy’s mother, Kathleen, also delivered a statement that detailed her sense of loss and inability to cope with social situations, whilst her older sister spoke of the profound quiet in their home since the murder.

Puska, who was separated from other inmates at Cloverhill Prison for his safety, stated through a translator that he had no comment or reaction to the sentencing. He will now be moved to Dublin’s Mountjoy prison and will undergo psychiatric supervision after attempting to take his own life during the trial

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