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Jozef Puska Appeal Delayed Over Fired Barristers

Friday, 17 April 2026 10:59

Mr Puska has fired his legal team less than a week before the appeal.

Jozef Puska has fired his barristers less than a week out from his appeal against his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy.

As a result, the hearing will not go ahead as planned.

In January 2022, Jozef Puska attacked Ashling Murphy – a 23yo schoolteacher – while she was out exercising along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.

She died from multiple stab wounds in what was a brutal and entirely unprovoked attack.

Puska was found guilty of her murder the following year and handed a life sentence.

His 2-day appeal was due to get underway next week but the court was today told that, on his instructions, he has parted company with his barristers.

His solicitor, who remains in the case, has engaged a new Senior Counsel but the court was told he isn’t in a position to proceed next week.

Ms J Isobel Kennedy described the situation as “entirely undesirable” but agreed to vacate the hearing date.

A new date will be set next Friday.

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