Man given whole life sentence for Ashling Murphy murder

Jozef Puska, 33, has been convicted of murdering schoolteacher Ashling Murphy has been handed a whole life sentence. 

Puska, from Lynally Grove in Mucklagh, County Offaly, was found guilty at a court in Dublin last week.

He attacked 23-year-old Ashling Murphy as she jogged on the banks of the Grand Canal near Tullamore, County Offaly, on 12 January 2022.

Murphy was stabbed 11 times in the neck. 

Her murder caused widespread shock and horror and saw vigils pop up across Ireland and the UK.

The court heard the two did not know each other and had never met until the attack. 

Following the guilty verdict on 10 November, Murphy’s family spoke outside court about their much loved sister, daughter and girlfriend.

“The judicial process cannot bring our darling Ashling back, nor can it heal our wounds, but we are relieved that this verdict delivers justice,” her brother Cathal Murphy said.

“It is simply imperative that this vicious monster can never harm another woman again.”