Scope of Puska's conviction appeal may change, court told

Lawyers representing Jozef Puska in his bid to overturn his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy have told a court that the "ambit of the appeal" may change.

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

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

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.

A week later, Senior Counsel John Berry confirmed he had come on record to represent Puska and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding at the Court of Appeal, set a new hearing date of 15 July for the conviction appeal.

The matter was listed for case management at the Court of Appeal today before Ms Justice Kennedy.

When the matter was called on, Mr Berry told the court that he had received "an indication of an instruction" in the last two days.

He said that instruction will have to be confirmed in person, but that this could "dramatically reduce down the time needed".

Counsel asked that the matter be listed again in seven days' time.

Ms Justice Kennedy asked if this was "simply with a view to decreasing the time needed".

"It may be that the ambit of the appeal will change as well," Mr Berry replied.

The barrister said he would discuss the matter with counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC. He added that "if what happens comes to pass" then he did not think "the court will be in any way inconvenienced or discommoded".

Ms Justice Kennedy adjourned the matter to 10 July.

Puska has been granted legal aid for his appeal on the same basis as his representation during his trial at the Central Criminal Court - where he was allocated a solicitor, a senior counsel and two junior counsel.