PUSKA'S HELPERS JAILED

20 months for killer's wife Lucia hits out ať system

- BY PAUL HEALY Crime Correspondent

GUILT Jozefina Grundzova & Marek Puska

THE wife of murderer Jozef Puska has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for withholding information that could have led to his prosecution.

Lucia Istokova was sentenced alongside Puska's brothers Lubomir, 38, and Marek, 36, who themselves were jailed for two-and-a-half years for their role in also withholding information - including that he had made admissions to them to having hurt a woman, and that he had visible injuries.

Lubomir's wife Viera Gaziova, 40, was jailed for two years and Marek’s partner Jozefina Grundzova, 32, was jailed for 21 months for burning the clothes that were worn by Puska during the murder of Ms Murphy - who was killed on the Grand Canal Way in Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022.

LEGACY

The jailing of the five family members came after powerful victim impact statements from Ms Murphy's father Ray, and her sister Amy.

In a victim impact statement read by Garda Alan Burke, Ray Murphy spoke of his daughter having been “brutally murdered by the coward that is Jozef Puska” and how wounds were reopened two years later when the family members went to trial.

He stated the Puska clan “closed ranks and decided to protect the animal they call their husband and brother”.

“Ashling represents the best of everything Ireland is. Ireland is a better place because she was here. That is her legacy. I ask the Puska family sitting here today, what is your legacy? What have you done for Ireland?” he said.