Latest news with #Jozef
The Journal
28-05-2025
- The Journal
Jozef Puska's brother denied telling someone to dispose of knife used to murder Ashling Murphy
JOZEF PUSKA'S BROTHER denied to gardaí that he told someone to dispose of the knife used to murder schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, the Central Criminal Court has heard. The jury also heard that Lubomir Puska Jnr (37) denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the clothes worn by his brother on the day Jozef Puska murdered Ms Murphy. Jozef Puska (35) attacked Ms Murphy (23) on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. She died having suffered 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, eleven of which were stab wounds. Puska's brothers Lubomir Puska Jnr and Marek Puska (36) are charged with withholding information, knowing or believing that the information might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of Jozef Puska for a serious offence involving loss of human life or serious personal injury to another. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988. Jozefina Grundzova (31), who is married to Marek Puska, and Viera Gaziova (38), who is married to Lubomir Puska Jnr, are accused of assisting in burning clothing between 12 and 14 January, without reasonable excuse, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska, knowing or believing him to have committed the offence of murder or some other arrestable offence within the same category or of a similar nature. They have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The jury previously heard that in his first statement to gardaí, Lubomir Jnr said he first saw his brother Jozef in the early afternoon that day. He seemed 'a bit sad, not in a good mood,' Lubomir Jnr said. He told gardaí that he left the house at about 11.30 and did not see his brother again. However, he later returned to the garda station and made a second statement, in which he apologised for lying and said that when Jozef arrived home on the night of January 12, it looked like he had been struck on the forehead. Jury watch garda interview The jury at the Central Criminal Court today watched video footage of Lubomir Jnr's interview with gardaí on 18 January 2022, in which he said he returned home on the day Ms Murphy was murdered to find his brother Jozef looking 'like he was beaten by someone'. Through a Slovakian interpreter, Lubomir Jnr said that Jozef was 'swollen on the forehead' and his cheek was red like he had been scraped. He said his brother had 'a weird walk, kind of broken,' as though something had happened to him. He told the gardaí that his brother, who was just out of the shower, opened the towel he was wearing to reveal three stab wounds. Advertisement 'He looked drunk, but he wasn't drunk,' said Lubomir Jnr. He told gardaí that he asked Jozef what had happened to him, to which his brother replied that he had wanted to kill himself and he had done a 'horrendous thing'. 'He said when he was stabbing himself, there was a girl running or exercising, she went towards him,' the accused told gardaí. 'She said: 'What are you doing? Don't do it, you are too young.' He said to her, 'Leave me alone, it's my life, my business.'' The accused said that Jozef 'probably wanted to push her away to leave him alone', but he thought that Jozef 'cut her with the knife'. After telling the gardaí this, the accused said it had been 'very heavy, very hard to say'. 'I never said anything like that in my life,' said the accused. He told gardaí that he could not believe what his brother was telling him, so he asked him again what he had done. 'Don't make any secrets' He said that Jozef told him: 'I don't know whether I hurt her so much, but I think I did… it must have been an accident, I didn't want to do this, but I just switched my hand as she was coming near me.' The accused said he told his brother to tell their parents immediately what he had done, to which Jozef said that he would tell them but only after they brought him to Dublin. The accused said he told his brother to tell their parents everything and 'don't make any secrets'. In a further interview, the accused told gardaí that he thought Jozef had his clothes in the bathroom with him. When asked if anyone removed those clothes, he said that he did not know. Detective Garda Joanne O'Sullivan gave evidence to prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC of the accused's next interview with gardaí, conducted on 26 January 2022. In this interview, it was put to the accused that someone had asked his wife to move Josef's clothes and put them beside the bin. 'I don't know who it was, it wasn't me,' replied the accused. In a further interview on 27 January 2022, it was put to the accused that when he knew Jozef had murdered Ms Murphy, he 'bundled him up and sent him to Dublin' before giving instructions to dispose of the clothes. The accused denied this and also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
28-05-2025
- Sunday World
Jozef Puska's brother denies telling someone to dispose of murder knife, jury hears
LATEST | Lubomir Puska Jnr told gardaí that he asked Jozef what had happened to him, to which his brother replied that he had wanted to kill himself and he had done a 'horrendous thing'. Lubomir Puska. Photo: Collins Courts The jury also heard that Lubomir Puska Jnr (37) denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the clothes worn by his brother on the day Jozef Puska murdered Ms Murphy. Jozef Puska (35) attacked Ms Murphy (23) on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on January 12, 2022. She died having suffered 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, eleven of which were stab wounds. Puska's brothers Lubomir Puska Jnr and Marek Puska (36) are charged with withholding information, knowing or believing that the information might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of Jozef Puska for a serious offence involving loss of human life or serious personal injury to another. Josef Puska Both men have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988. Jozefina Grundzova (31), who is married to Marek Puska, and Viera Gaziova (38), who is married to Lubomir Puska Jnr, are accused of assisting in burning clothing between January 12 and 14, without reasonable excuse, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska, knowing or believing him to have committed the offence of murder or some other arrestable offence within the same category or of a similar nature. They have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The jury previously heard that in his first statement to gardaí, Lubomir Jnr said he first saw his brother Jozef in the early afternoon that day. He seemed "a bit sad, not in a good mood," Lubomir Jnr said. He told gardaí that he left the house at about 11.30 and did not see his brother again. However, he later returned to the garda station and made a second statement, in which he apologised for lying and said that when Jozef arrived home on the night of January 12, it looked like he had been struck on the forehead. The jury at the Central Criminal Court today watched video footage of Lubomir Jnr's interview with gardaí on January 18, 2022, in which he said he returned home on the day Ms Murphy was murdered to find his brother Jozef looking 'like he was beaten by someone'. Ashling Murphy Through a Slovakian interpreter, Lubomir Jnr said that Jozef was 'swollen on the forehead' and his cheek was red like he had been scraped. He said his brother had 'a weird walk, kind of broken,' as though something had happened to him. He told the gardaí that his brother, who was just out of the shower, opened the towel he was wearing to reveal three stab wounds. 'He looked drunk, but he wasn't drunk,' said Lubomir Jnr. He told gardaí that he asked Jozef what had happened to him, to which his brother replied that he had wanted to kill himself and he had done a 'horrendous thing'. 'He said when he was stabbing himself, there was a girl running or exercising, she went towards him,' the accused told gardaí. 'She said: 'What are you doing? Don't do it, you are too young.' He said to her, 'Leave me alone, it's my life, my business.'' The accused said that Jozef 'probably wanted to push her away to leave him alone', but he thought that Jozef 'cut her with the knife'. After telling the gardaí this, the accused said it had been 'very heavy, very hard to say'. 'I never said anything like that in my life,' said the accused. Lubomir Puska. Photo: Collins Courts News in 90 Seconds - May 28th He told gardaí that he could not believe what his brother was telling him, so he asked him again what he had done. He said that Jozef told him: 'I don't know whether I hurt her so much, but I think I did... it must have been an accident, I didn't want to do this, but I just switched my hand as she was coming near me.' The accused said he told his brother to tell their parents immediately what he had done, to which Jozef said that he would tell them but only after they brought him to Dublin. The accused said he told his brother to tell their parents everything and 'don't make any secrets'. In a further interview, the accused told gardaí that he thought Jozef had his clothes in the bathroom with him. When asked if anyone removed those clothes, he said that he did not know. Detective Garda Joanne O'Sullivan gave evidence to prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC of the accused's next interview with gardaí, conducted on January 26, 2022. Read more In this interview, it was put to the accused that someone had asked his wife to move Josef's clothes and put them beside the bin. 'I don't know who it was, it wasn't me,' replied the accused. In a further interview on January 27, 2022, it was put to the accused that when he knew Jozef had murdered Ms Murphy, he 'bundled him up and sent him to Dublin' before giving instructions to dispose of the clothes. The accused denied this and also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women.
Extra.ie
24-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Jozef Puska's brother told gardai pain medication to blame for 'memory lapse', court hears
Jozef Puska's brother told gardaí investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy that he wanted to tell them more but couldn't due to medication he was on for back problems, which had left him on disability allowance. Marek Puska, 36, is accused of withholding information crucial to the investigation into Ms Murphy's murder. He is on trial with his brother Lubomir Puska Jr, 35, also accused of withholding information. Marek Puska. Pic: Collins Courts Their wives, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, and Viera Gaziova, 38, are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution by burning the clothes he wore when he murdered Ms Murphy. Each accused has pleaded not guilty. Yesterday, Detective Garda Cian Steers told prosecutor Anne-Marie Lawlor that on January 14, 2022, two days after Ms Murphy's murder, Marek agreed to give a voluntary statement at Tullamore Garda Station. He described how the family ended up in Ireland with three brothers, their wives, and 14 children all living in one house in Mucklagh, Tullamore. He described the recent months as 'golden times, the best of times', and added: 'I swear to God, everyone says they don't see a family like this getting on… We sit and talk and don't argue. Viera Gaziova and Lubomir Puska. Pic: Collins Courts 'The kids are at the top of everything and get everything,' he said. He and Jozef, he said, were on disability allowance due to back problems. On January 12, the day of the murder, Marek got up at his usual time of about 12.30pm. Jozef was not home, which was unusual, and he hadn't taken his phone. Marek went into Tullamore to search for Jozef. He visited a casino where Jozef would sometimes go and a plaza near the Bank of Ireland. When he still couldn't find Jozef, he went to a Garda station to report his brother missing and the local hospital to ask if anyone named Jozef Puska had checked in. Marek said he went to Dublin that evening but returned to Mucklagh the following day by bus. As he pulled up to the house, he noticed gardaí. A Polish garda told him that 'someone from my house had killed someone,' he said. Marek Puska and Jozefina Grundzova. Pic: Collins Courts He said nobody who knows his family would say they could kill someone. 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 [for his back]. My doctor told me it can affect my memory.' He promised to contact gardaí if he remembered anything else, adding: 'I want to help.' Jozef Puska. In cross-examination, Detective Garda Steers agreed with defence counsel Karl Finnegan that at the start of the statement, Marek accurately described Jozef Puska's bicycle and immediately identified the bike when shown a photograph. Detective Garda Joanne O'Sullivan told Ms Lawlor that in the following days, gardaí became aware that Marek Puska wished to make a further voluntary statement. On the evening of January 18, gardaí took Marek to Mullingar Garda Station because all the interview rooms in Tullamore were in use. Ashling Murphy. The jury was previously told that Jozef Puska was arrested at 11.31am on January 18. Marek told Garda O'Sullivan that when he and Lubomir Jr were looking for Jozef on January 12, they received a phone call around 9pm telling them their brother was at home and in a 'poor state' having been 'beaten up'. He said Jozef had injuries and blood on his head, 'like he had been hit', and three holes in his abdomen. Later on the night of January 12, Marek said his parents arrived in Tullamore and Jozef left with them to go to their Dublin house. It is alleged that Marek failed to disclose that Jozef had returned home on the night of Ashling's murder with visible injuries and admitted to killing or causing serious injury to a woman. It is further alleged that he knew of the arrangement to burn Jozef's clothes and that Jozef Puska travelled to Dublin later that night. Lubomir Puska Jr, it is alleged, also withheld that Jozef returned home with visible injuries, admitted to 'cutting a female', and travelled to Dublin. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988. Ms Grundzova, married to Marek Puska, and Viera Gaziova, 38, married to Lubomir Puska Jr, pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The trial continues on Monday before Judge Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
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
Dublin Live
23-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Jozef Puska's brother 'couldn't tell gardai more' due to back pain medication
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Jozef Puska's brother Marek told gardai investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy that he wanted to tell them more but couldn't because of medication he was taking for back problems, which had left him on disability allowance. Marek Puska (36) is accused of withholding information that was crucial to the investigation into Ms Murphy's murder. He is on trial with his brother Lubomir Puska Jnr (35), who is also accused of withholding information. Their wives, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution by burning the clothes he wore when he murdered Ms Murphy. Each accused has pleaded not guilty. Today, Detective Garda Cian Steers told prosecutor Anne-Marie Lawlor SC that on January 14, 2022, two days after Ms Murphy's murder, Marek agreed to give a voluntary statement at Tullamore Garda Station. He described how the family ended up in Ireland with three brothers, their wives, and 14 children all living in one house in Mucklagh, Tullamore. He described the recent months as "golden times, the best of times", and added: "I swear to god, everyone says they don't see a family like this getting sit and talk and don't argue." "The kids are at the top of everything and get everything," he said. He and Jozef, he said, were on disability allowance due to back problems. On January 12, the day of the murder, Marek got up at his usual time of about 12.30pm. Jozef was not home, which was unusual, and he hadn't taken his phone. Marek went into Tullamore to search for Jozef. He visited a casino where Jozef would sometimes go and a plaza near the Bank of Ireland. When he still couldn't find Jozef, he went to a garda station to report his brother missing and the local hospital to ask if anyone named Jozef Puska had checked in. Marek said he went to Dublin that evening but returned to Mucklagh the following day by bus. As he pulled up to the house, he noticed gardai. A Polish garda told him that "someone from my house had killed someone," he said. He asked if she was joking and added: "I did not know how to answer or what to it about me, my brothers? I thought about it and said, 'No, it is not possible'." He said nobody who knows his family would say they could kill someone. 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 [for his back]. 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 Puska'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 Puska wished to make a further voluntary statement. On the evening of January 18, gardai took Marek to Mullingar Garda Station because all the interview rooms in Tullamore were in use. The jury has previously been told that Jozef Puska was arrested at 11.31am on January 18. Marek told Gda O'Sullivan that when he and Lubomir Jnr were looking for Jozef on the 12th, they received a phone call at about 9pm telling them their brother was at home and in a "poor state" having been "beaten up". He said Jozef had injuries and blood on his head, "like he had been hit", and three holes in his abdomen. When Marek asked him about it, he said Jozef told him it was "not my business" and not to ask questions. Jozef did not want an ambulance and claimed to have self-inflicted the wounds to his abdomen, Marek said. Marek said he didn't believe his brother would do that to himself and cried when Jozef refused an ambulance. He said he is close to his brother, "like two halves of an apple, I can't live without him." Marek said he and Jozef would tell one another everything, and he had been struggling to sleep in the days since seeing the injuries. He described Jozef as the "go-to man" who would "help everyone". He said Jozef did not have mental issues and would talk through any problems he had. Later on the night of the 12th, Marek said his parents arrived in Tullamore and Jozef left with them to go to their house in Dublin. It is alleged that Marek Puska failed to disclose that Jozef had returned home on the night of Ashling's murder with visible injuries and admitted to killing or causing serious injury to a woman. It is further alleged that he knew of the arrangement to burn Jozef's clothes and that Jozef Puska travelled to Dublin later that night. Lubomir Puska Jnr, it is alleged, also withheld that Jozef returned home with visible injuries, admitted to "cutting a female", and travelled to Dublin. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988. Jozefina Grundzova (31), who is married to Marek Puska, and Viera Gaziova (38), who is married to Lubomir Puska Jnr, are accused of assisting in burning clothing between January 12 and 14th, without reasonable excuse, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska, knowing or believing him to have committed the offence of murder or some other arrestable offence within the same category or of a similar nature. Ms Grundzova and Ms Gaziova pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The trial continues on Monday before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women.
