Trial of Jozef Puska for murder of Ashling Murphy delayed for two weeks

Trial due to take four weeks, Central Criminal Court told

Jozef Puska, centre, is charged with murdering Ashling Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022. File picture

The trial of Jozef Puska, who is charged with murdering 23-year-old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, will begin before a jury at the Central Criminal Court in two weeks.

Mr Puska, 32, with an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is charged with murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022. His trial was listed to begin on Monday.

At the Central Criminal Court on Monday morning, Michael Bowman SC, representing Mr Puska, said once the jury was empaneled, its members would be required for about four weeks. Mr Justice Tony Hunt will oversee the trial.

Ashling Murphy had recently graduated from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick and was working in Durrow National School.

She was jogging beside the Grand Canal outside Tullamore when it is alleged she was fatally assaulted.