A Garda sergeant told the Central Criminal Court that the man accused of murdering teacher Ashling Murphy was distraught and cried when he admitted doing it two days later, reports RTE.
The court heard how Joseph Puska told Gardai he had cut Ms Murphy’s neck and she was terrified.
Mr Puska has pleaded not guilty to murdering 23-year-old Ms Murphy on January 12 last year.
Sergeant Brian Jennings told the court that on the evening of January 14, 2022, he visited St James’s Hospital, where Puska was a patient.
Gardaí obtained a search warrant at the hospital to investigate the circumstances of Ms Murphy’s murder.
Sgt Jennings said he asked to speak to Mr Puskar because they had trespassed on his property.
Mr. Puska was moved to a single room. The sergeant said they called a translator and put him on the loudspeaker. He said Puska was awake and alert.
The interpreter said Puska was making an official statement. Sergeant Jennings was informed that Puska had confessed to the murder.
Puska said he needed a lawyer and Sergeant Jennings said he tried to interrupt the conversation.
However, he added that Puska persisted and pleaded guilty because he did not want anything bad to happen to his family.
Through an interpreter, Puska stated that he had not done it on purpose and asked if his family would be safe.
The interpreter said Mr Puska said “I did it. I murdered. I am the murderer”, reports RTE.
The interpreter was also nervous, said Sgt.
Garda Fergus Hogan said he went to Mr Puskar’s room after receiving a call from Sgt. Jennings.
He said Sergeant Jennings reminded Puska to be careful.
Garda Hogan said Mr Puska put his finger to his lips to show he was telling the girl to be quiet.
Just before Sgt Jennings returned to the Garda Hogan said Puska pointed to his stomach and said: “I’m doing it.”
The court heard that Tullamore Police officers were alerted to Mr Puskar’s presence at St James’s Hospital by Blanchardstown Police.
Gardaí in Blanchardstown were investigating a knife incident which occurred on January 12.
However, gardaí became concerned that Puska had not told them the full story as he was unable to provide details, including how he got from Tullamore to Dublin, where the stabbing took place or who he was meeting in Blanchardstown.
Detective Inspector Shane McCartan said the puzzle had many pieces that couldn’t be put together and it “just didn’t add up”.
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