The mother of murdered Irish schoolteacher Ashling Murphy has disclosed the heart-wrenching final words her daughter uttered as she departed home.
Her ‘evil’ perpetrator Jozef Puska, 33, was sentenced to life on Friday at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court. During his trial, jurors heard how Puska forcibly took Ashling off a towpath in Tullamore, Co Offaly, while she was exercising after work on January 12 last year and stabbed her 12 times.
The brutal incident appalled the nation and prompted vigils worldwide, marking yet another instance of a woman slain by a predatory man.
Ms. Murphy’s mother and sister portrayed the 23-year-old as a talented musician, a dedicated teacher, a selfless community member, and an integral part of their family. ‘This country has lost somebody who made a difference,’ expressed Ashling’s elder sister Amy Murphy.
Her mother Kathleen conveyed that her ‘heart broke the moment I heard the bad news Ashling was murdered.’
‘There is such a void in our home,’ she stated in a message relayed by a detective garda.
Mrs. Murphy disclosed that before her daughter left the house, she had implored her not to go along the canal, to which Ms. Murphy replied: ‘Ah mum, I’m 23 years old.’
She gave her ‘a big hug and said “I love you, you’re the best mum in the world” and walked out the door,’ Mrs. Murphy recounted.