Five charged with obstructing Ashling Murphy investigation

Image source, COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRI EIREANN

Image caption, Ashling Murphy was stabbed to death as she jogged on the banks of a County Offaly canal in January 2022.
At a glance
  • Five people are charged with obstructing the investigation into the murder of Irish teacher Ashling Murphy
  • The accused include two brothers and the wife of her murderer
  • All five were released on bail
  • Slovak national Jozef Puska was found guilty of murdering Ms Murphy in November

Five people have been charged with obstructing the police investigation into the murder of Irish teacher Ashling Murphy.

The accused include two brothers and the wife of the man who killed her.

Jozef Puska, a Slovak national, was found guilty of murdering Ms Murphy in November.

Puska stabbed the 23 year old 11 times in the neck as she jogged on the banks of the Grand Canal near Tullamore, County Offaly, on 12 January 2022.

Ms Murphy's death caused widespread shock, prompting vigils across Ireland and the UK.

Three of the accused, Marek Puska, Lubomir Puska and Lucia Istokova, are charged with failing to disclose information to garda铆 (Irish police) which might have helped with Puska's arrest, prosecution or conviction between 12-27 January 2022.

Two other people, Viera Gazoiva and Jozefina Grundzova, are charged with acting with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Puska between 12-14 January last year.

During the brief proceedings at Tullamore District Court on Wednesday, the accused spoke only to confirm their signatures on court documents.

All five were released on continuing bail.