Some readers may find the content in this article distressing.
A pre-trial date has been set for this Wednesday at 10:00 am.
The trial of Jozef Puska, 32, who is charged with murdering 23-year-old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, will begin before a jury at the Central Criminal Court in two weeks’ time.
Mr. Puska (32) with an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co. Offaly is charged with murdering Ashling at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12th, 2022, and his trial was scheduled to begin today.
The pre-trail is expected to take two weeks and, once complete, it is anticipated that the trial will take four weeks once the jury is empanelled.
Pre-trial hearings were introduced last year to help trials run more smoothly and address any issues in advance of the trial itself. This also reduced the number of times a jury has to be sent away for legal argument.
The trial will be overseen by Mr. Justice Tony Hunt.
Mr. Puska, who is in custody, was not in the courtroom today but The Irish Times report that he was presented in custody.
According to the publication, friends and family members of Ashling’s, including her sister Amy, were in court when the matter was mentioned to Mr. Justice McDermott.
Ashling Murphy was a talented musician and had recently graduated from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick and was working in Durrow National School at the time of her death.
She was jogging beside the Grand Canal outside Tullamore when she was fatally assaulted.
Her death sparked outrage across the country and conversations about violence against women.
Vigils were held across Ireland in the schoolteacher’s memory and to show respects to her friends and families.
The Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline is 1800 341 900. You can also access help and support by visiting www.womensaid.ie.
