The trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, unfolded details as the jury viewed CCTV footage capturing some of the victim’s final movements. Puska, 33, from Mucklagh in Co Offaly, denies the charges related to the incident beside the Grand Canal on January 12, 2022.
Gardaí meticulously examined over 25,000 hours of CCTV to compile relevant clips for the trial. Garda David Harney and a colleague presented the compilation to the jury, showcasing Puska’s movements on a bicycle from 12:30 to just after 14.00 on the fateful day.
The footage tracked Puska cycling from Mucklagh to Tullamore and his movements around the town. At 13.38, a woman in a maroon jacket was seen walking towards Cloncollig retail park, with Puska cycling behind her. Both entered the retail centre’s car park, and while the woman went into Tesco, Puska cycled down a service road and returned.
At 1:53 pm, the footage indicated Puska stopping his bicycle, reaching into his pockets, and appearing to hold something in his hands. Lawyers for the defence challenged the clarity of the footage, suggesting Garda Harney’s interpretation might be flawed.
Later in the afternoon, Puska was seen entering the Daingean road car park near the Grand Canal at 14.05 Just over half an hour later, Murphy was captured leaving Durrow national school and driving to the same car park, her last known whereabouts at 2:55 pm.
The jury was informed that there was no further CCTV footage of Puska during the afternoon, and no cameras between the car park and the area where Murphy’s body was found. However, evening footage depicted a man identified as Puska walking near a bypass outside Tullamore and later entering a car.
The trial also revealed CCTV footage of Puska arriving at an apartment building in Crumlin, Dublin, with his parents in the early hours of the following morning. A stark contrast in his appearance was noted when he was later taken out of the building by paramedics.
Paramedic Paul McCabe testified that by the time they reached Murphy’s body, there was nothing further they could do. He described the gruesome scene, detailing the substantial wounds to Murphy’s neck and the absence of signs of life.
Scenes of crime examiner Garda Ronan Lawlor highlighted the numerous wounds on the right side of Murphy’s neck. Various items found at the scene, including sunglasses, a pink wooly hat, two blue Nike runners, and personal belongings from Murphy, were presented as evidence.
The trial continues.
