Latest news with #AshlingMurphy
Irish Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ashling Murphy's partner says he'll "never want to rule out" career in politics
The boyfriend of murder victim Ashling Murphy says he's considered a career in politics - as he also opens up about dealing with his unimaginable grief. In the third and final part of our exclusive podcast interview which we are serialising today, Ryan Casey revealed he's thought about entering the world of politics - following a legal battle with the BBC over remarks made about his victim impact statement. 'I've always been interested in politics. Always have been since a very young age. I was always obsessed with American politics and then going to a little more Irish politics as time went on, I started realising what's going on. 'Did I ever see myself doing it ? No. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider it for the last election cycle.' Ryan, 27, last week settled a defamation case against the BBC, which issued a statement that it did not consider him to be 'racist' or someone who was being held up as a 'hero of the far right' through his victim impact statement. It also stated it was 'happy to clarify' it does not consider Mr Casey to be 'someone guilty of, or attempting to, incite hatred'. The statement came after journalist Kitty Holland was a guest on the BBC's 'The View' programme and stated that she believed some elements of his victim impact statement were 'incitement to hatred' and that Ryan was 'being held up as a hero of the far right'. Ryan, who has views on a number of issues, says he had been approached about running in the last election - but he wasn't in the right headspace at the time. 'At the time I wanted to do it, a lot of people wanted me to do it. But you know, in hindsight looking back, I wasn't in the right mental state, you know, it was more out of anger and if I was to do it now, it would be more, I suppose, of a natural progression. Better judged. 'I'll never want to rule it out, completely. But we'll see how things go. I'm not entirely happy with a lot of people, the way things are going.' Ryan, who told us earlier in the interview that he was not 'far right' or 'anti immigrant,' says he's considered using his harrowing experience for good - and he doesn't want it to go to waste. 'It's obviously come about due to horrendous circumstances. Did I ever want this? No. Did I ever want to be sitting here today? No I didn't. 'But... if you can, I suppose, now, use this to do some good to help people, why not? And what I'm going to do exactly, I don't know, and maybe nothing will happen. But I suppose it would be a shame for me to let it slip, and maybe if I can do some good and maybe help some people, maybe help things on a wider scale - why not?' The grieving young man also opened up about his process for dealing with grief - and how his father Ned gave him valuable advice that helped get him through the unimaginable tragedy. 'I will say, don't get me wrong, it will be the roughest time of my life. You do wonder yourself thinking on your darkest days, how the hell am I even sitting here today? How do you get through it? I'm not going to beat around the bush either. We have an amazing family, we're so lucky. Some people in these situations we're in mightn't be so lucky. At the end of the day, your only tool is to lean on each other,' he said. 'I've two parents and they're just amazing people. I don't know where I'd be only for them.' Speaking about his mindset in the days and weeks after Jozef Puska brutally murdered the love of his life in January 2022, Ryan said: 'I was not in a good headspace for quite some time. I might be sitting here talking to you today and able to hold a conversation, but it wasn't always like this the last three and a half years. You have to have the mindset - for Ashling, and for your family as well. You have to go on,' he said. 'My Dad brought me for a walk in the very early stages and he told me something that stuck with me even to this day. He was worried, as you would be. I wasn't in a good head space. He said something that will always stick with me. He said: 'Ryan, that guy (Puska) is after taking so much from you and from all of us. Don't let him take any more. ''Use that as your internal fire that you need to burn to get back on track'. That was something that kind of hit me at the time.' Ryan is now actively involved in the incredible charity - the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund - which gives back to the community and also involves her parents and siblings. He also plays golf, darts, and keeps fit as he works towards a better future - living with the grief. 'It was an accumulation of things. I started working out and eating healthy you know and I'm a firm believer in that now, what you put into your body is highly important for your mood. 'People do ask how you get through it, you just have to find that inner resilience,' Ryan said. 'There's still life out there.' The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
BreakingNews.ie
07-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Jozef Puska's relatives accept verdict and will not appeal conviction, court hears
Jozef Puska's two brothers, who were last month convicted of withholding crucial information about the murder of school teacher Ashling Murphy, and their wives – who burned the killer's bloodstained clothes – now accept the jury's verdict and will not appeal their convictions, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Lubomir Puska Jnr (38) and Marek Puska (36), along with their wives Viera Gaziova (40) and Jozefina Grundzova (32) appeared before the court on Monday, where Ms Justice Caroline Biggs fixed a date of October 7th for sentencing in the case. Advertisement Jozef Puska (35) murdered Ms Murphy (23) on January 12th, 2022, by repeatedly stabbing her in the neck after attacking her while she exercised along the canal towpath outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. He was later convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence. The four family members were found guilty on June 17th this year, after a jury accepted the prosecution's case that Lubomir Jnr and Marek misled gardaí by failing to disclose crucial and vital information when they gave witness statements, while their wives - Gaziova and Grundzova - burned Jozef's clothes to impede his arrest or prosecution. All the defendants had pleaded not guilty to all of the charges during the four-week trial. Lubomir Jnr however, had admitted to gardaí that he lied in his initial statement, while his wife Viera and sister-in-law Jozefina told gardaí that they had burned clothes. At the Central Criminal Court today, Karl Finnegan SC, representing Marek Puska, said his client now accepts the verdict of the jury and will not be appealing the decision. He said Marek has engaged with the Probation Services and has further meetings scheduled in the coming month. Advertisement A barrister representing Lubomir Jnr said her client also accepts the verdict of the jury and is due to meet with the Probation Services on July 9th. Damien Colgan SC, for Gaziova, said it is his understanding that in his client's case, the verdict is also accepted. He said a social worker is now involved under the auspices of another agency. He said this was going to take some time and asked for a sentence date in October. Paul Murray SC, for Grundzova, confirmed his client has met with the Probation Services. He said she also accepts the verdict. A barrister representing Lucia Istokova, Jozef Puska's wife, said her client had pleaded guilty before the commencement of the trial. Advertisement Istokova (36) had admitted to withholding information from gardaí investigating the murder after a pre-trial hearing. Ms Justice Biggs said she would extend legal aid for the purpose of preparing psychological reports for any of the defendants, if this was deemed appropriate by counsel. She said in circumstances where reports were awaited, she could either deal with matters 'in one fell swoop' or in two stages. Mr Murray told the court he thought it would be more expedient to have the matter dealt with in one day. Advertisement Ms Justice Biggs adjourned the matter to October 7th for sentence. She said at that point, she hoped to have probation reports, any potential psychological reports and any other reports that are available. It was the State's case that the two brothers misled gardaí and withheld 'crucial, relevant and significant' information when they gave voluntary interviews in Tullamore two days after Ms Murphy's death. This included information that Jozef Puska returned home on the night of the murder with visible injuries, admitted to killing or seriously injuring a woman with a knife and subsequently travelled to Dublin. All four family members were living with Jozef Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, when the offences occurred in January 2022.
Extra.ie
06-07-2025
- Extra.ie
Family and friends honour Ashling Murphy on what would have been her 27th birthday
Family and friends of Ashling Murphy have paid tribute to her today on what would have been the murdered schoolteacher's 27th birthday. Ashling's life was tragically and callously short in January 2022 when, aged just 24 she was brutally killed by Jozef Puška, while she was doing nothing more than out for her routine evening run. Over three years on the schoolteachers' family and friends have rallied around to celebrate her all too short life. Ashling Murphy (Centre) with mother Kathleen, brother Cathal, father Raymond and sister Amy. The tight-knit Tullamore town of Blueball, from which Ashling was born, bred, raised and dearly loved, have established The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund to ensure her enduring legacy. In a post on Instagram the community fund today paid tribute to Ashling 's legacy writing : 'Today we remember the life of Ashling on what would have been her 27th birthday — her fourth heavenly birthday away from those who loved her, and who continue to love and miss her so dearly. 'Though Ashling is no longer with us, her memory lives on, and her legacy endures in the countless lives she touched during her short but remarkable time with us — and in those she will continue to inspire in the years ahead. 'We remember Ashling for her love of music, her unwavering dedication to teaching and learning, her kindness, her generous spirit, and her radiant smile. 'Though she may be gone, there is comfort in knowing that her light still shines — in the hearts of those she loved, and in the many lives her legacy continues to uplift.' Ashling Murphy. Pic: Supplied And while Ashling has indeed left a hole in the lives of her loved ones and the community, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund has raised thousands to sponsor initiatives in her local area. An array of sport clubs, musical societies and other clubs have benefited from tens of thousands of funds raised in Ashling's honour by those whose lives she touched. Ashling Murphy And it's not just Offaly, or even Ireland, that is determined to ensure Ashling's legacy spreads far and wide -this year, one woman completed the New York Marathon, crossing the Manhattan finish line wearing a T-shirt bearing Ashling's name and face.
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Wales Online
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend settles defamation action against BBC
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend settles defamation action against BBC The 23-year-old schoolteacher was killed along a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly in 2022 by murderer Jozef Puska. Ashling Murphy and Ryan Casey (Image: Instagram/@ashling_murphy_memorial_fund ) The boyfriend of murdered Ashling Murphy has settled a defamation claim against the BBC. The 23-year-old schoolteacher was killed along a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly in 2022 by murderer Jozef Puska. Her partner, 27-year-old Ryan Casey, sued the BBC over a broadcast of an episode of the View following Puska's sentencing. It contained commentary on Mr Casey's victim impact statement that he delivered ahead of sentencing. He initiated High Court proceedings against the broadcaster alleging that he had been defamed during the television programme. Article continues below The action was settled on Thursday, with the BBC saying it acknowledged Mr Casey's personal tragedy. It stood by the journalism of the broadcast and added: "The BBC is however happy to clarify that it does not consider Ryan Casey to be a criminal or a racist, or someone guilty of or attempting to incite hatred, or someone seeking to pose as a hero of the far right through his victim impact statement." It is understood Mr Casey received a substantial figure in the settlement.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- The Independent
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend settles defamation action against BBC
The boyfriend of murdered Ashling Murphy has settled a defamation claim against the BBC. The 23-year-old schoolteacher was killed along a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly in 2022 by murderer Jozef Puska. Her partner, 27-year-old Ryan Casey, sued the BBC over a broadcast of an episode of the View following Puska's sentencing. It contained commentary on Mr Casey's victim impact statement that he delivered ahead of sentencing. He initiated High Court proceedings against the broadcaster alleging that he had been defamed during the television programme. The action was settled on Thursday, with the BBC saying it acknowledged Mr Casey's personal tragedy. It stood by the journalism of the broadcast and added: 'The BBC is however happy to clarify that it does not consider Ryan Casey to be a criminal or a racist, or someone guilty of or attempting to incite hatred, or someone seeking to pose as a hero of the far right through his victim impact statement.' It is understood Mr Casey received a substantial figure in the settlement.
