By Eimear Cotter
A Slovakian man accused of the murder of school teacher Ashling Murphy earlier this year has been sent for trial in the Central Criminal Court.
Jozef Puska (31) was served with the book of evidence when he appeared before Cloverhill District Court this morning.
This was Mr Puska’s seventh appearance at Cloverhill, and the first time he has physically appeared in a courtroom since he was charged with murder.
Mr Puska, with an address at Lynally Grove, Tullamore, Co Offaly, is charged with the murder of Ashling Murphy (23) at Cappincur, Tullamore.
The 23-year-old was fatally assaulted while she was out jogging along the grand canal in Tullamore on the afternoon of January 12, 2022.
Wearing a light grey hoodie as well as a face mask which he removed to speak to the judge, Mr Puska spoke to confirm his name when he was asked to introduce himself to the court.
“Hello, my name is Jozef Puska”, he told the court.
A Slovakian interpreter was in court to assist him.
“Good morning, Mr Puska”, Judge Victor Blake said to the accused.
State solicitor, Sarah Jane McGuinness, told the court the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who goes forward to the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court on the single charge in the book.
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