Irish Schoolteacher Ashling Murphy's Murderer Gets Life Behind Bars


A man described as a "monster" by the victim's boyfriend received a life sentence from an Irish court for fatally stabbing primary school teacher Ashling Murphy, 23, in an unprovoked attack while she was by a canal in Tullamore on Jan 12.

Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovakian, was found guilty of the murder and faced a life sentence following a trial that spanned three weeks. 

The victim's partner, Ryan Casey, expressed deep anguish, lamenting the loss of someone who embodied the goodness in Irish society and urging for a wake-up call to prioritize safety for everyone in Ireland.

Casey delivered a heartfelt statement in court, stating that the tragic loss of Murphy's life was an ongoing life sentence for her family. 

He emphasized her youth, love, and the plans they had together since they met at 15, condemning Puska for destroying their dreams by taking Murphy away.

Addressing Puska directly, Casey described the magnitude of their love and the devastation caused by his actions. He accused Puska of displaying no remorse during the trial and concluded by expressing his hope for Puska to face consequences beyond earthly measures when the time comes.

The judge echoed the severity of the crime, expressing that a whole life term would have been considered if within his jurisdiction. He also doubted Puska's claim of not recalling confessing to the murder and highlighted the urgent need to address femicide in Ireland, particularly in the wake of Murphy's tragic death.

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