Show Notes
Five members of Jozef Puska's family have been sentenced for their roles in trying to cover up his murder of 23-year-old school teacher, Ashling Murphy. She was brutally murdered along the banks of the Grand Canal in January 2022. His wife, Lucia, pleaded guilty just before the trial began, while his two brothers and their wives were found guilty by a jury in June 2025. Each of them received a custodial sentence and in this episode, Frank and Aisling detail the court proceedings, the mitigating factors put forward by their defence teams, and the judge's ultimate reasoning for each sentence. They will also read in full the harrowing victim impact statements from Ashling's sister, Amy, and their father, Ray.
More from All Rise: The Riad Bouchaker Trial
It has been over three months since Riad Bouchaker was found guilty of all charges arising from the Parnell Square knife attack, and everyone was back in court today for his sentence hearing. His defence put forward their pleas in mitigation, and we also heard from some of the victims, and their families.
Yesterday, the jury found Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts. He’ll be sentenced on a later date but in this episode, Frank and Aisling are joined by two of the other court reporters who have been covering this trial: Deborah Naylor, Courts Correspondent with Virgin Media News, and Eoin Reynolds, Court Reporter at Ireland International News Agency. In this extended episode, they pore over the key evidence, explore how things unfolded in Court 19, and explain the elements of this case that the jury didn't hear.
Four hours and forty-two minutes – that’s how long it took the jury to make their minds up. And they found Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts.
The jury is out. After weeks of evidence, the nine men and three women began their deliberations this afternoon. The judge asked them to approach their task “logically and forensically” and to leave emotion or sympathy at the door.
The jury heard closing speeches today – a final chance for both the prosecution and defence to address them. Alternative verdicts will be open to them in relation to certain charges and the issue of intention will be a key element for them to consider in their deliberations.