EVIL killer Jozef Puska is confident he will be out of prison soon.
And he is adamant his conviction for the murder of 24-year-old teacher Ashling Murphy back in 2022 will be quashed.
The thug, 36, has been heard telling fellow inmates in the Midlands Prison, where he is serving a life sentence, that he didn’t do it and will win his forthcoming appeal.
It is the third anniversary of Ashling’s death this Sunday.
A memorial walk in her honour will take place along the Grand Canal in her home town of Tullamore, Co Offaly where she lost her life in a crime that shocked the nation.
Puska’s case is due to be heard before the three judge court of appeal in Dublin in the next few months.
According to sources, the Slovakian will argue a confession he made to Gardai in hospital two days after the murder that he killed Ashling, 23, should not have been put before the jury by the trial by Judge Tony Hunt.
Puska told the Gardai officers while recovering from self-inflicted stab wounds at St James’ Hospital: “I am the murderer.”
He also made expressions of regret and remorse over Ashling’s death.
He later said he didn’t remember saying any of it or that he told detectives “I cut her neck” even though the results of the post-mortem had not been released publicly at that stage.
The post-mortem results later confirmed she died from 12 blunt forced wounds to the neck.
It is understood the unemployed father-of-five will claim he should never have been interviewed, was high on medication and had just come out of surgery.
Sources in the Midlands Prison say Puska has been telling everyone he is going to win his case.
KILLER’S CLAIMS
A source said: “He believes he will be freed.
“He is adamant he didn’t kill Ashling when all the evidence proves otherwise.
“He claims he never made any confession and has no memory of it because he was out of it on drugs.
In November 2023, Puska was handed a mandatory life sentence for Ashling’s murder, which in Ireland is around 20 years, after being found guilty of the barbaric killing following a three-week trial.
If he does not win his appeal Puska can not be released without Ashling’s family being contacted by the independent Parole Board first to have their say on his potential release.
MEMORIAL MASS
Meanwhile, a mass for Ashling will be held this Sunday, January 12, in Mountbolus followed afterwards by a walk on the Grand Canal between Tullamore and Cappincur.
A post on the Ashling Murphy Facebook page said: “We wish to invite you to join us in remembering and celebrating Ashling’s life at her 3th anniversary mass which will take place on Sunday, Jan 12 at 10am in St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus.
“A commemorative walk will take place on Sunday afternoon to Ashling’s Memorial Shrine on the Grand Canal, Tullamore. Meeting at Digby Bridge Carpark, Cappincur at 3pm. Anyone walking along the canal from the Tullamore side may meet at the memorial shrine at 3.15pm.
“People planning to participate in the walk are advised that it is about 20-25 minutes if one begins at the Fiona Pender memorial.
“Please join us as we remember our beloved Ashling on her 3rd anniversary.”
