Puska's brother blamed meds for holding info back

Claims memory issues 'stopped him telling gardai anything more'

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JOZEF Puska's brother Marek told gardai investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy that he wanted to give them more information but couldn't due to medication he was taking for his back.

Marek Puska, 36, is accused of withholding information that was crucial to the investigation into Ms Murphy's murder. He is on trial with his brother Lubomir Puska Jnr, 35, who is also accused of withholding information.

Their wives, Jozefina Grundzova, 31, and Viera Gaziova, 38, are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution by burning the clothes he wore when he murdered Ms Murphy.

Each accused has pleaded not guilty. They have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Yesterday Detective Garda Cian Steers told the court that on January 14, 2022, two days after Ms Murphy's murder, Marek agreed to give a voluntary statement at Tullamore Garda Station.

He described how the family ended up in Ireland with three brothers, their wives, and 14 children all living in one house in Mucklagh, Tullamore.