Sister of killed teacher looks 'evil' in the eyes as she blasts killer in court
The sister of Ashling Murphy looked "evil" in the eyes as she slammed her killer for the brutal murder of the schoolteacher.
The 23-year-old teacher had been out for a run when she was killed on a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in January 2022. A murder trial at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin heard she was attacked by Jozef Puska.
She was found lying face up in thick undergrowth in a ditch by two cyclists. The teacher was wearing a navy running jacket and bottoms and a top of her local GAA camogie club Kilcormac Killoughey when she was found. She also had a necklace with her name "Ashling" on it and her phone's fitness app was still running.
Puska denied killing Ashling, claiming he had been trying to help Ms Murphy after she had been attacked by another man, who he said had also attacked and stabbed him. The prosecutor told the jury the 33-year-old man's evidence was full of "foul and contemptible" lies which the jury saw through, finding him guilty.
The parents of murdered teacher Ashling Murphy, Kathleen (left) and Raymond (right) and her sister Amy (centre) (PA)Today, Puska is being sentenced for her murder after he was convicted last week. A jury found him guilty of murder following a trial. Evidence that nailed him included his own confession, his DNA under the fingernails of Ashling, CCTV and witnesses placing him at the scene, The Irish Mirror reported.
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Justice Hunt previously told the courtroom: “There will be a day of reckoning for Puska.”
During today's proceedings, Ashling's sister Amy spoke movingly to the court. During it, at one point she looked directly at Puska - but the killer refused to look at her. As she did, she said: "We cherish each and every moment we had with her. Our family must now endure our own life sentence.
Jozef Puska (FACEBOOK)
The 23-year-old had been out for a run when she was attacked"There are no roadmaps to life but I can assure you of this, after today I will never ever give Jozef Puska the privilege that I am thinking about him. He shall not live rent free in the back of my mind."
She also said: "Ashling brought the best out of us. Although she was the youngest there was no doubt that she was everybody's role model. She had such an endearing personality. Giving so much of herself to others. Musicians of all ages were welcomed into our home every week ... hanging on to her every word. The quietness that now remains in the house is deafening.
"The week of her death some multiple delivery drivers arrive at our door with tears in their eyes with Ashling's name on it. She had just graduated less than three months previously and the world was her oyster. She was reaping the rewards of life. Ashling was born to be a teacher and loved every second of it. Ms Murphy had 28 first class students and she was like a second mum to them.
Ashling Murphy's sister Amy Murphy and boyfriend Ryan Casey walk behind the hearse outside St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, at the end of the funeral of the school teacher (PA)"As a surprise she baked gingerbread men for each of them every Christmas. She immersed herself in all things school life had to offer. It breaks our hearts that she was stolen from these many wonderful students now left broken hearted at her sudden departure
"We eventually got her car back. My heart sank when I opened the front door I found half eaten toast, half drank tea, a hurl sitting in front seat. All signs of a young woman preoccupied with coming and going of a busy life."
The sentiment in Amy's words was echoed by what the sister's mother, Kathleen, said in her own victim impact statement, read out by a garda. She said: "I miss her sweet music. It breaks my heart. Ashling loved playing camogie. I miss going to her camogie and music concerts.
(PA)"She was the thoughtful one in our family. She brought us to see Westlife twice. Ashling always looked forward to family coming over to visit. Everyone wanted to be in her company. I miss her smiling face coming home after a days work in school. Ashling was every mum and Dad's dream daughter. It was like having a stroke. My heart was ripped from my body. My love and drive for life is gone forever. There is such a void in our life. I can't bear it.
"I will not go for a walk anymore because I am too afraid of that monster. She didn't want to go. It was not her time. On the night that news came to our doorstep Ashling's untouched dinner was found in the oven. All the simplicities of life were destroyed in an instant. I believe this coward came from behind and he didn't face her.
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"His actions must have consequences. He should never see the light of day again. I couldn't protect my darling Ashling and now she's gone forever."
The partner of Ashling Murphy has said he and the murdered schoolteacher “simply couldn’t get enough of each other”, and first met when they were teenagers. Ryan Casey gave a victim impact statement at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin before Jozef Puska was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
Mr Casey said his and Ms Murphy’s relationship was "full with love, trust respect" and "was quite simply heaven on earth". He said they had plans to travel together, to build a house, start a family, and get married. He said they had talked about how many kids they would have, and imagined they would be "little hurlers and camogie players and even better – musicians".
He said it didn’t make sense to him that someone who is "a burden to society can completely and permanently destroy someone … who is the complete opposite", describing Ashling Murphy as "a light with dreams, compassion, respect, a person who contributes to society in the best way possible".
Judge Hunt said he didn't think he had ever heard victim impact statements like those of Ashling's loved ones. He added: "This case has struck people in a very profound way. I don't and I couldn't possibly add to what we've heard beyond that."
Puska was given a life sentence. The average life sentence is 19 years, and parole is offered after the first 12, then every two years after.
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