A jury of 5 women and 7 men has been sworn in to hear the state’s case against 4 accused in relation to the aftermath of the murder of Ashling Murphy in January 2022.
The two brothers of Jozef Puska – who was found guilty of Miss Murphy’s murder – Marek Puska (35), and Lubomir Puska (36) were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this afternoon where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges they are facing.
Both brothers are separately accused that they, on dates between the 14th and 15th of January 2022 both dates inclusive, within the State did fail, without reasonable excuse, to disclose as soon as practicable to a member of An Garda Síochána information to wit Jozef Puska had returned to an address in Tullamore on the 23rd of January 2022 with visible injuries, and that he had admitted to killing or seriously injuring a female with a knife.
Marek is charged that he was aware of an arrangement to burn clothing worn by Jozef Puska at the time of the murder and that Jozef Puska subsequently travelled to Dublin on the 12th Jan 2022, being information that they knew or believed might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of Jozef Puskafor an offence to wit involving the loss of human life or serious harm to another contrary to Section 9.1.B of the Offences Against the State Act 1998.
Lubomir is charged with similar offences, bar the knowledge of the intent to burn clothing.
The brother’s partners, Viera Gaziova (34) – the partner of Lubomir Puska – and Jozefina Grundzova (39) – the partner of Marek Puska – are accused that they on dates between 12th and 14th of January 2022 within the state knowing or believing that Jozef Puska had committed an offence of murder or some other arrestable offence of similar category or nature, did without reasonable excuse act with intent to impede his apprehension, prosecutions, or conviction namely by burning items of clothing belonging to him. This offence is assisting an offender contrary to Sec 7.2 and 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1997.
Both women affirmed their pleas of not guilty on arraignment this afternoon before Ms. Justice Caroline Biggs.
The trial is expected to last for five weeks until the 20th of June, where most witnesses expected to be called are members of An Garda Sîochána from stations in Tullamore, Portlaoise, Birr, and Dublin.
Two interpreters will be present in court for the duration of the proceedings.
The trial will commence at 11:30 tomorrow morning.