Murder accused takes stand to deny following woman on day Ashling Murphy was killed

The court also heard that Jozef Puska had told gardaí he 'never saw' Ashling Murphy before

In the opening part of his testimony, which will continue on Friday, Jozef Puska (pictured) said he had "no bad intention whatsoever" when he was cycling behind Annemarie Kelly, a witness who told the trial that she thought Mr Puska was following her along a street in Tullamore prior to Ashling Murphy's murder. Picture: Elizabeth Cook

Jozef Puska has taken the stand to give evidence in his defence against the charge that he murdered 23-year-old school teacher Ashling Murphy.

In the opening part of his testimony, which will continue on Friday, Mr Puska said he had "no bad intention whatsoever" when he was cycling behind Annemarie Kelly, a witness who told the trial that she thought Mr Puska was following her along a street in Tullamore prior to Ms Murphy's murder.