Jozef Puska's brother told Ashling Murphy murder probe cops he couldn't tell them more due to back pain meds, court told
JOZEF Puska's brother told gardai investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy he wanted to tell them more but couldn't — because of medication he took for back pain.
Marek Puska, 36, is accused of withholding information seen as being crucial to the probe into
2
Ashling Murphy was murdered in 2022
He told
He is on trial with his brother Lubomir Puska Jnr, 35 — also accused of withholding information.
Their wives, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, and Viera Gaziova, 38, are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution after
Each accused has pleaded not guilty.
READ MORE IN NEWS
Detective
Marek said that he and his borther Jozef were on disability allowance due to back problems.
On January 12, the day of the murder, Marek got up at about 12.30pm and that Jozef was not home, which was unusual, and he hadn't taken his phone.
The court was told Marek went into
Most read in Irish News
When he still couldn't find Jozef, he went to a garda station to report his brother missing and the local hospital to see if he had checked in.
Marek said he went to
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend breaks silence after Puska found guilty
As he pulled up to the house, he noticed gardai.
He said that a Polish garda told him that 'someone from my house had killed someone".
He asked if she was joking, and added: 'I did not know how to answer or what to say. . . is it about me, my brothers? I thought about it and said, 'No, it is not possible.''
The Court also heard that at the end of the statement, Marek said: 'I want to tell you a bit more, but I can't because of the medicine I have taken. My doctor told me it can affect my memory.'
He promised to contact gardai if he remembered anything else, adding: 'I want to help.'
In cross-examination, Det Gda Steers agreed with defence counsel Karl Finnegan SC that at the start of the statement, Marek accurately described Jozef's bicycle and immediately identified the bike when shown a photograph.
Det Gda Joanne O'Sullivan told Ms Lawlor that in the following days, gardai became aware that Marek wished to make a further voluntary statement.
The
2
Jozef Puska was jailed for the murder in 2023
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Heartache as young Irish builder ‘who always had a smile' dies after sustaining serious head injuries as three arrested
TRIBUTES have poured in for an Irish builder who died after sustaining serious head injuries - as three people were yesterday arrested. The passing of James O'Connor, from Advertisement The father-of-two was injured on the Edenappa Road in Jonesborough, South The incident took place on Saturday, May 31. The 39-year-old was rushed to Craigavon But he sadly passed away two days ago, on June 4. Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS The And they said that investigations into the incident in which he was injured are ongoing. Three men aged 27, 34 and 42 were arrested in relation to the incident. But all three were released on bail to allow for further enquiries. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Exclusive Exclusive Cops have urged anyone with information which may be useful in the case to come forward. And they asked that road users with dashcam footage or CCTV coverage should make it available to Funeral details for O'Connor have yet to be confirmed by the But they did pay tribute to him when announcing his passing. Advertisement They said: "It is with great sadness that the O'Connor Family announce the tragic and unexpected death of James O'Connor, late of 2 Euston Street, Greenore and formerly of Rampark, Jenkinstown, Dundalk. "This notice will be updated once funeral arrangements can be confirmed. "Please await the update and respect the family's privacy in the interim." 'WE JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT' Tributes have poured in for the late builder, who has been remembered as "a gentleman" by devastated mourners. Advertisement One person said: "This is absolutely heart breaking. James you are such a gentleman with a chat and a smile for everyone. "Gone far too soon, we just cant believe it. Rest in peace James. Thinking of your family at this devastating time." Another said: "Devastating news, worked with Hames few years ago, a gentleman he was. "Rest in peace pal. Thoughts are with James' family and friends." Advertisement A third penned: "To the family of James, I am so sad to hear of the death of James - he was such a kind and gentle person and always had a smile when you met him, no matter what. "This is so sad. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam." And a fourth put in: "Absolutely heartbreaking to hear of your passing James, you are a true gentlemen and always had a chat and smile. "Your death is a devastating blow to the community. Thinking of your family at this sad time. RIP James." Advertisement 1 An investigation into the incident is ongoing Credit:
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Woman charged with murder after body found in garden in search of missing factory worker 15 years on
A WOMAN has been charged with murder after a body was found in the search for a Polish factory worker who vanished 15 years ago. Izabela Zablocka disappeared in 2010, aged 30, from Normanton, 6 Human remains were found buried in the garden of a Normanton home Credit: PA 6 Izabela Zablocka vanished in 2010 aged 30 Credit: PA 6 A woman has now been charged with murder Credit: Splash Cops, who launched a murder inquiry into her disappearance last week, discovered what they believed to be the missing mother's remains in the garden of a home in Normanton. Derbyshire Police have now charged Anna Podedworna with murder. The 39-year-old, of Boyer Street, Derby, has also been charged with preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice. She remains in custody and is due to appear in court on Friday. Read More Cops arrested two other women aged 39 and 43, and two men aged 41 and 48, on suspicion of murder. All four remain on police bail as investigations continue. A Derbyshire Police spokesperson said: "A woman has been charged with the murder of Izabela Zablocka, who disappeared without trace 15 years ago. "Izabela, a Polish national, came to the UK in 2009 but stopped contacting family in August 2010, when she was 30 years old. She has never been seen since. Most read in The Sun "A murder inquiry was launched two weeks ago and human remains, believed to be Izabela's, have since been found in the garden of a property in Princes Street, Normanton. "Five people have been arrested as part of the investigation so far. "Anna Podedworna, 39, of Boyer Street, Derby, has now been charged with murder, preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice. "She remains in police custody and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Friday 6 June. "Two other women aged 39 and 43, and two men aged 41 and 48, were arrested on suspicion of murder and all remain on police bail pending further inquiries." Anyone with information can speak to officers at the scene, share it directly with detectives on the web portal or call 101 quoting incident 92 of May 24. 6 Derbyshire Police have now charged Anna Podedworna with murder Credit: SWNS 6 She remains in custody and is due to appear in court on Friday Credit: SWNS 6 Five people have been arrested as part of the investigation so far Credit: SWNS
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm glad he's not on the streets', says victim as convicted rapist who threatened 3 female journalists is jailed
A CONVICTED rapist who threatened and harassed three female journalists has been jailed for 11 years. Mark McAnaw, 53, refused to enter a bond before a sitting of Advertisement After Judge Pauline Codd had outlined the conditions attached to the suspended portion of the sentence, McAnaw's counsel Rebecca Smith BL said her client did not wish to enter the bond as he found the conditions 'onerous'. As a result, the judge imposed the full 11-year sentence. Judge Codd also ordered that McAnaw should have no contact either directly or indirectly with the women, should not approach them, go within 10 miles of their homes and workplaces or communicate with them for life. McAnaw, previously of Letterkenny, Co Advertisement Read more in News The court heard McAnaw repeatedly sent the three women emails and messages of a violent and sexually threatening nature, which escalated to him threatening to put a 'bullet' in one of them. He also referred to himself as an ' He also turned up at the offices of the Sunday World on Talbot Street and, when refused entry, he went to a cafe across the road. When gardai approached him there, McAnaw was in the process of writing an email to Ms Tallant. Advertisement Most Read in The Irish Sun McAnaw is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH). McAnaw does not accept his diagnosis of schizophrenia and has declined to take medication, the court was told. His previous convictions include the rape of a student in October 2010, for which he was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2012. PREVIOUS CRIMES McAnaw also has a 1989 conviction for kidnapping and convictions for assaults causing actual bodily harm from a court in Northern Ireland in 2011. He also has a conviction for aggravated assault after attacking a woman in her home in April 2018, for which he received a sentence of eight years and four months in June 2023. Advertisement This sentence was backdated to 2018 when he went into custody, with the final 16 months suspended for 16 years on strict conditions. McAnaw was released from custody on this sentence in July 2023 – one month before the harassment of the three Sunday World journalists took place. VICTIMS' REACTION Reacting outside court, Ms Reynolds said she was "really shocked and quite happy with the outcome". She added: "I came here today expecting two years, worried that maybe he'd be out on the streets again today, but I'm relieved now at least we won't have to think about it now for at least five years. Advertisement "I think the judge saw what a danger he is to Irish women and applied an appropriate sentence. I'm really grateful to the guards, I think they did a great job securing this conviction. I would ask the question why someone like this is free to harass women in the first place, but hopefully it's something we don't have to think about for a long time." Ms Reynolds continued: "I don't think that's really acceptable that I have to go to work and think about somebody sitting at home, fantasising about what they are going to do to me, or put a bullet in my head like this man threatened. "It's strange to see yourself described as a victim and I'm conscious today that this man has victims out there that went through the most horrific crimes you could commit against women. For all of our sakes, I'm glad he's not on the streets." 'SICK MAN' Ms Brunker added: "It's been very scary to have somebody threaten to kill you. He's a sick man and I'm very grateful that the judge was empathetic to our case and the women in Ireland. Advertisement "It's an amazing day, I'm just very grateful that we are going to see him put away for a long time as he is a very dangerous man. "The sentence was very strong. Not everybody is as lucky as we were today, but it doesn't change the fact that he is a very dangerous man. He's where he needs to be right now." 1 Mark McAnaw has been jailed for 11 years. Credit: Collect image through journalist
