'EVIL IN THIS ROOM'
Jozef Puska found GUILTY of stabbing young teacher Ashling Murphy, 23, to death in frenzied canal attack
The jury of nine men and three women reached their unanimous verdict this afternoon
MONSTER Jozef Puska has been found guilty of the murder of young teacher Ashling Murphy who was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack while out for a run.
The 33-year-old, from Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022.
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The young schoolteacher, 23, died after she was stabbed 11 times in the neck in a broad daylight while she was exercising along the Grand Canal in Tullamore.
The jury of nine men and three women reached their unanimous verdict after beginning deliberations yesterday.
They had deliberated for just for two hours before reaching their unanimous verdict at the Central Criminal Court this afternoon.
Ashling’s family embraced each other and sobbed after evil Puska was convicted of her murder.
Evil Puska now faces a mandatory life sentence for murder.
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.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the decision as very “straightforward” and he was "satisfied" that their “prompt verdict reflected” that.
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He added: “I’m glad you didn’t spend any more time than you needed to on Mr Puska’s nonsense.”
He said he agreed with the verdict and was satisfied it was correct.
However, he said there was no doubt the case was "difficult and upsetting".
He thanked them for their “diligent” work on what was “a very difficult case” before excusing them for jury service for 20 years.
He added that there was such a focus on the case because of the kind of person Ashling was.
He continued: "To lose a child is unnatural. Their position is unenviable. To consider what happened here is enough to make you physically ill.
“We have evil in this room."
Ashling’s family and friends gave the jury a round of applause as they left the jury box.
SENTENCING ADJOURNED
He adjourned the sentencing until November 17 to give the family time to prepare a victim impact statement for the court.
Speaking outside the court, Ashling's brother Cathal and partner Ryan Casey read out an emotional statements to the media.
Heartbroken Ryan said: "From day one, the outpouring of love and support was felt in abundance from the Irish people both at a national and international level as they stood in solidarity with our family to both mourn the loss of our beautiful, talented Ashling and to condemn gender-based brutality with visceral repulsion.
"Ashley was was a vibrant, intelligent and highly-motivated woman who embodied so many great traits and qualities of the Irish people and its communities.
"Her life had a huge impact on so many of those around her and she was the epitome of a perfect role model for every little girl to look up to and strive to be.
"She was not only an integral part of our family, but she was also a huge shining light in our community."
Ashling's devastated brother Cathal said his sister had been subjected to incomprehensible violence by a "vicious monster".
Speaking to the media, he said: "We would like to also thank the members of the jury for reaching this verdict.
"Sitting through the harrowing evidence of this trial was not an easy task and we'll be forever grateful for their patience and resilience throughout this incredibly difficult process.
"Ashling was subjected to incomprehensible violence by a predator who was not known to her.
"While we do not glory in any conviction, we recognise the importance of holding accountable those who would commit such terrible atrocities.
"The judicial process cannot bring our darling Ashling back, nor can it heal our wounds, but we are relieved that this verdict delivers justice.
"It is simply imperative that this vicious monster can never harm another woman again."
BLACK BICYCLE
Puska was placed at the scene by the presence of his distinctive green and black bicycle a few feet from Ms Murphy's body.
He had been captured on CCTV cycling the same bicycle around Tullamore earlier that afternoon and the prosecution alleged that the footage showed him following two women before heading towards the canal where he isolated Ashling Murphy, who was walking alone.
Puska's DNA was found on the bike as was his fingerprint and his DNA was under Ms Murphy's fingernails.
The prosecution argued that the DNA under the nails showed that Ashling had scratched her attacker as she tried to save her own life.
When gardai spoke to Puska the day after the murder his face and hands were covered in scratches that were consistent with him crawling through the thorns and briars by the side of the towpath where he murdered Ms Murphy.
PUSKA'S TESTIMONY
In his testimony to the trial, Puska claimed that he was cycling along the towpath when he was attacked and stabbed by a masked man.
He claimed the same man then attacked and stabbed Ms Murphy before running away. In what prosecution counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor described as a "foul and contemptible fabrication", Puska claimed that he then tried to help Ashling by pulling her scarf up around the wound to her neck.
He said that he realised he couldn't help her and crawled through the briars to an adjoining field where he fell unconscious for about four hours.
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The jury rejected his version of events and found him guilty of Ms Murphy's murder.
No motive has been offered for the killing and lawyers in the case stressed that there was no connection between Puska and Ms Murphy.
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