The prosecution are set to begin outlining their case this morning, of a 33-year-old man accused of the murder of 23-year-old teacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore Co. Offaly, on the 12th of January last year

Jozef Puska, of Lynally Grove, Offaly, was charged with murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on January 12, 2022.

Puska pleaded not guilty to the charge before a jury yesterday, with the aid of a translator.

Before the trial commenced, Mr Justice Tony Hunt commented that the case had attracted "more than the usual share of publicity," warning jurors that they should not serve if they had previously engaged in commentary on the case on social media channels, or if they did not feel they could approach it with an open mind.

The jurors were also told they should not serve if they had any familiarity with Mr Puska’s stay in St James’s Hospital in January last year.

An Irish primary school teacher and traditional Irish musician, Ashling Murphy was attacked and killed while on a jog along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, at around 4pm. The shocking killing sparked discourse surrounding violence against women in Ireland, with vigils taking place globally.

Ashling Murphy vigil at the Leinster House, Dublin. Friday 14th of January 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The court heard most of the witnesses in the case will be from the Tullamore area and there will be gardaí from the midlands and from Dublin stations.

Defence counsel Michael Bowman said the accused lived in Mucklagh and has close family in Crumlin in Dublin.

Prosecuting counsel Anne Marie Lawlor is expected to outline the evidence that the prosecution hopes to draw from, in her opening speech this morning,

The jurors have been told the trial could last up to five weeks.