Puska Murder: Sisters-in-Law Claim Ignorance
- As the trial concludes for relatives of Jozef Puska, who was convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy, the central question revolves around whether they knew of his guilt.
- Defense lawyers argued that Grundzova and Gaziova were unaware of Jozef Puska's crime when they burned his clothes.
- kathleen Leader SC, representing Lubomir Puska, argued that her client only delayed, rather than withheld, information, citing a "natural sense of protection" for his brother.
Defense lawyers are battling to prove Jozef Puska’s sisters-in-law were ignorant of his guilt in the tragic Ashling Murphy murder, a claim central to the trial.This case sees Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova accused of obstructing the inquiry by destroying evidence. Their husbands,Marek and Lubomir Puska,also face charges of concealing crucial information related to the January 2022 killing in Tullamore. The defense insists these family members acted without knowledge of the crime,emphasizing the close-knit family dynamic. news Directory 3 is closely following the jury’s deliberations, scrutinizing the family’s actions in the aftermath. The family—including Jozef,his wife Lucia,and their 14 children—shared a home throughout this period. What will the jury decide? Discover what’s next …
Ashling Murphy Murder Trial: Relatives’ Verdict Looms
Updated June 10, 2025
As the trial concludes for relatives of Jozef Puska, who was convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy, the central question revolves around whether they knew of his guilt. Jozefina Grundzova, 32, and Viera Gaziova, 40, are accused of impeding the inquiry by burning his clothes. Their husbands,Marek Puska,36,and Lubomir Puska,38,face charges of withholding information related to the January 2022 murder in Tullamore,County Offaly.
Defense lawyers argued that Grundzova and Gaziova were unaware of Jozef Puska’s crime when they burned his clothes. Paul Murray SC, representing Grundzova, emphasized that the prosecution must prove she knew of Jozef’s guilt at the time. Damien Colgan SC, for Gaziova, stated she believed Jozef was a victim of assault and did not think him capable of murder. All four defendants, along with Jozef Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children, resided at Lynally Grove in Mucklagh when the alleged offenses occurred.
kathleen Leader SC, representing Lubomir Puska, argued that her client only delayed, rather than withheld, information, citing a “natural sense of protection” for his brother. She highlighted the close-knit nature of the family, emphasizing their initial concern was for Jozef’s well-being after he returned home injured on the night of Ashling Murphy’s murder. The family’s actions and knowledge in the immediate aftermath of the tragic event are under intense scrutiny as the jury deliberates.
“Think of that person coming home, out of the blue, and telling you they had done something so truly awful, something you hadn’t imagined in your wildest dreams. Was it reasonable in those circumstances to disclose the information in stages?”
What’s next
Ms. Justice Caroline biggs is continuing her charge to the jury, after which they will begin deliberations to reach a verdict in the Ashling murphy murder relatives’ trial.