Trial hears Jozef Puska’s sister-in-law told gardaí clothes were burned after Ashling Murphy’s death

Detective tells Central Criminal Court jury that accused described burning clothes, including a bloodstained t-shirt, after Ashling Murphy’s death

Jozefina Grundzova (left) and her partner Marek Puska (right) arriving at the Central Criminal Court today. Ms Grundzova told the court she noticed there was 'blood around the lower half of the t-shirt'. Photo: Collins Courts

Jozef Puska's sister-in-law told gardaí that she and another family member burned clothes, including a bloodstained t-shirt, the day after school teacher Ashling Murphy was murdered, a trial has heard.

Jozef Puska, aged 35, attacked Ms Murphy, aged 23, on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on January 12, 2022, and was later convicted of her murder. She died having suffered 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, 11 of which were stab wounds.

Jozefina Grundzova, aged 32, who is married to Jozef's brother Marek Puska, aged 36, is charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by assisting in burning his clothes. Viera Gaziova, aged 40, who is married to Jozef's other brother Lubomir Puska Jnr, aged 38, is charged with the same offence.

Lubomir Jnr and Marek are charged with withholding information from detectives investigating Ms Murphy's murder. All the accused were living with Jozef Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, when the offences are alleged to have occurred in January 2022.

All accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, Detective Garda James Duffy gave evidence to counsel for the State, Kevin White BL, that during garda interview Ms Grundzova told gardaí that co-accused Ms Gaziova received a phone call telling her to burn certain clothes.

She said that these were “maybe Jozef’s clothes” and it was Ms Gaziova who lit the fire on January 13. 

Ms Grundzova told gardaí that Ms Gaziova was “throwing clothes into the fire”, which she may have taken out of a bag. She said that she herself took socks out of the bag and threw them into the fire.

She said she did not know why these clothes were burned, but she noticed there was “blood around the lower half of the t-shirt".

“Viera told me she got a call that the clothes needed to be burned,” she said.

Presiding judge Ms Justice Caroline Biggs told the jury of seven men and five women that they will not be required again until Monday, June 9, when the trial will resume.