Overview

• Ms Justice Caroline Biggs told five convicted relatives of Jozef Puska to put their affairs in order, citing a very real risk of custodial sentences.
• Brothers Marek and Lubomir Puska were found guilty of withholding information after a trial, while sisters-in-law Viera Gaziova and Jozefina Grundzova were convicted of assisting an offender by burning Puska’s clothes.
• Lucia Istokova pleaded guilty to withholding information and later told Gardaí that Puska said he did not mean to kill that girl, admitting she initially stayed silent about his injuries and a bicycle because she was scared.
• The court heard sentencing evidence from Detective Superintendent Patrick O’Callaghan and mitigation submissions, with victim impact evidence from Ashling Murphy’s family due before sentencing on 22 October.
• Defence lawyers referenced psychological reports noting Roma cultural factors and family responsibilities, and the court was told the five have 14 children under 16, prompting the judge to press for childcare arrangements.