What Ashling Murphy’s family said outside court following murder conviction
Statement Of Murphy, As Mother (centre), Media Her The Murdered Listens Picture: Ashling A Son To Gives Brian Lawless/pa) Teacher Kathleen Cathal The
The family of murdered Irish schoolteacher Ashling Murphy has said she was subjected to incomprehensible violence by a “vicious monster”.
It comes after Jozef Puska was found guilty of murdering Ms Murphy.
Ms Murphy, 23, was killed while exercising on a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on the afternoon of January 12 last year.
Puska, 33, of Lynally Grove in Mucklagh, Tullamore, had pleaded not guilty to her murder.
The jury, made up of nine men and three women, reached their unanimous verdict at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin after deliberating for more than two hours.
Her brother, Cathal Murphy, said that Puska had committed a “terrible atrocity”.
Members of the Murphy family cried as they hugged each other following the verdict.
Ms Murphy's mother Kathleen, sister Amy, and father Ray solemnly listened on as the men thanked the Irish public for their support.
Ashling Murphy’s brother Cathal & boyfriend Ryan Casey pay tribute to her after Jozef Puska is found guilty of her murder.
— David Young (@DavidYoungPA) November 9, 2023
Mum Kathleen, dad Ray and sister Amy stand behind.
Cathal says it’s “simply imperative that this vicious monster can never harm another woman again.”@PA pic.twitter.com/ZHECgpyaLL
Speaking to the media, Mr Murphy said: “Ashling was subjected to incomprehensible violence by a predator who was not known to her.
“While we do not glory in any conviction, we recognise the importance of holding accountable those who would commit such terrible atrocities.
“It is simply imperative that this vicious monster can never harm another woman again.”
He added: “We would like to also thank the members of the jury for reaching this verdict.
“Sitting through the harrowing evidence at this trial was not an easy task, and we will be forever grateful for their patience and resilience throughout this incredibly difficult process.
Ms Murphy’s boyfriend Ryan Casey thanked gardaí, the prosecution and the public for support the family received.
Speaking also on behalf of the Murphy family, he said: “From day one, the outpouring of love and support was felt in abundance from the Irish people both at a national and international level as they stood in solidarity with our family to both mourn the loss of our beautiful, talented Ashling and to condemn gender-based brutality with visceral repulsion.
“Ashley was was a vibrant, intelligent and highly-motivated woman who embodied so many great traits and qualities of the Irish people and its communities.
“Her life had a huge impact on so many of those around her and she was the epitome of a perfect role model for every little girl to look up to and strive to be.
“She was not only an integral part of our family but she was also a huge shining light in our community, a community in which year in year out, she gave back to as best she could.
“Words cannot express the gratitude to all members of An Garda Síochána who conducted and pieced together a robust and thorough investigation. We wish to formally thank the prosecution legal team, Justice Hunt and also our family liaison officers.
“We’d like to also thank the victims support and court team who were always there for us, always waiting to help us at any given moment.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee paid tribute to Ms Murphy’s family.
“None of us can comprehend the grief and loss they carry every day. Their beautiful daughter, sister and friend, a young woman with so much to offer the world, was taken from them.
“Ashling’s murder shocked us all. It moved us to action, demanding an end to violence against women.”
Puska, a father-of-five originally from Slovakia, briefly placed his head in his hands following the verdict before staring at the floor as members of his family also heard the jury’s decision.
Judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt told the jury: “We have evil in this room.” Justice Hunt said: “There will be a day of reckoning for Puska.”
He told the court that to lose a child was “unnatural”.
Speaking of the Murphy family, he said: “Their position is unenviable. How their child was taken away, to consider what happened here is enough to make you physically ill.”
He said he hoped they would provide a victim-impact statement to he court.
Sentencing and the reading of any victim impact statement was scheduled for November 17.
There is a mandatory life sentence for murder.
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