Puska abandons bid to appeal conviction for Murphy murder

Jozef Puska has abandoned his bid to overturn his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy.

Puska is serving a life sentence for the murder of the 23-year-old schoolteacher on 12 January 2022.

Ms Murphy was attacked and stabbed to death as she walked along the canal outside Tullamore, in Co Offaly.

Lawyers for Puska told Judge Isobel Kennedy in the Court of Appeal that he had "abandoned his conviction appeal".

Judge Kennedy confirmed that she had received the notice of abandonment and that "the conviction appeal has been abandoned".

Puska's appeal against his conviction for murder was originally due to be heard on 23 April, but this date was vacated after his barristers made an application days beforehand to withdraw from the case as a result of instructions given by Puska to his solicitor.

Earlier today, the court heard that the lawyers for Puska had been told their client had indicated two different possible instructions.

Senior Counsel John Berry told Judge Kennedy that the case had been adjourned last week as "an indication of an instruction" from the client "needed to be confirmed in person".

To this end, Mr Berry said that a solicitor had attended Midlands Regional Prison on Tuesday but discovered that there was an indication of a "different instruction" under Section 215 of the Legal Services Act, which relates to a legal practitioner withdrawing from a case.

Senior Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Anne-Marie Lawlor, said that while Mr Puska had discharged "certain members of his legal team", namely his counsel in April, he had retained his solicitor and had access to "excellent" legal representation throughout this process.

Ms Lawlor said that it was the view of the DPP that it was "in a position to proceed" if Puska again "chooses to discharge his legal team".

Judge Kennedy noted that "obviously there would be concern that the matter would proceed" and that hearing dates would not be vacated for a second time.

Mr Berry said that he needed to consult with his client to find out which instruction he wanted to proceed with.

Judge Kennedy granted his request.

When Mr Berry returned to court, he informed Judge Kennedy that his client had abandoned his conviction appeal.

Puska was present in court. A Slovakian interpreter was provided to translate proceedings.

Mr Berry requested a hearing next week to hear limited arguments on the backdating of Puska's life sentence to include his period in custody prior to conviction.

Judge Kennedy agreed that this could be heard on 16 July.

Mr Berry requested that Puska not be present at that hearing.