The prosecution and defence are delivering their closing arguments to the jury this afternoon.
The prosecution and defence in the Ashling Murphy murder trial have been delivering their closing arguments to the jury.
33-year-old Jozef Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co. Offaly, denies murdering the schoolteacher along the Grand Canal in Tullamore on January 12th, 2022.
In closing the prosecutions case, Ms Anne Marie Lawlor SC told the jury that it was never suggested to anyone that Jozef Puska did not make confessions to the murder of Ashling Murphy to Gardai while a patient at St James Hospital two days later.
Ms Lawlor described it as a spontaneous, clear and unequivocal.
She added that it is ‘farcical’ and ‘ludicrous in nature’ that Jozef Puska had his clothes burnt after leaving Tullamore for Dublin on the night Ashling Murphy was killed – and in the next breath saying he had nothing to do with the killing of Ms Murphy.
She accused Jozef Puska of having a structure of lies and mistruths – some of which she described as ‘foul and contemptable with the foolish belief that he will succeed'.
Mr Michael Bowman for the defence told the jury they must be very careful in how they assess some of the evidence.
He admitted Jozef Puska does himself ‘no favours’ in asking for his clothes to be burnt, but asked ‘why would he volunteer that evidence?’ and said it suggests he’s being truthful.
Mr Bowman added the fact that defendant tells a lie does not mean guilt.
He said they lie to ‘protect someone else, out of panic or confusion – all sorts of reasons’
Midlands Hospital Experiencing High Admission Numbers
Founding President Of TUS To Step Down Next Year
Westmeath Father Loses Job After Using HSE Funds For Home Upgrades
Higher Education Minister Visits Offaly
Midlands Woman Pays Tribute To Sister After Manslaughter Sentence
FTD Brothers Continue 32 County Marathon Challenge Through The Midlands
Fresh Restoration Works Begin At Westmeath Castle
Nearly 1,000 Homes And Businesses Hit Affected By Power Outage In Midlands Town
TUI Says State Should Pay For School Devices
Musicians Gather In Offaly Celebrating Fr Liam Lawtons Music
Minister For Health Wants Closer Working Relationship For Midlands Hospitals
US-Iran Peace Deal Nears As Talks Continue
Westmeath Activist Calls Out Government After Being Detained By Israel
Laois TD Voices Concern Over Appeal For Proposed Windfarm
HSE Still Formally Settling Offaly Hospice Dispute
Weeklong Heatwave Hits Midlands
Uisce Eireann Agree To Examine Pipeline Solution For Westmeath Town
Offaly's Comhaltas President Meets King Charles In Belfast
Laois TD Demands Deer Be Tested For TB
Health Minister Opens Newly Extended ED Department In Laois