A 33-year-old man pleaded not guilty to murdering 23-year-old teacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly, last year, reports reports RTE.
Joseph Puskar, of Linally Grove, Muclagh, Co Offaly, was charged with one count of murder before a jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court this afternoon.
He stood up and answered “not guilty” through a Slovak translator.
A jury of nine men and three women has already been sworn in to hear the case, which will begin tomorrow morning.
Judge Tony Hunt told potential jurors that the trial is expected to last up to five weeks.
Ashling Murphy died while jogging on the Grand Canal in Tullamore on January 12 last year, reports RTE.
The judge said the publicity of the case meant that if they felt they could not judge Mr Puska with a completely open mind, based solely on the evidence presented in court, they should not hesitate to tell the judge and he would do so.
The part will release them from their obligations.
The judge said the case was expected to last four weeks, but it would be reasonable to extend the hearing by five weeks.
Prosecuting solicitor Ann Marie Lawlor said most of the witnesses would be from the Tullamore area, with a large number of Garda witnesses coming from the Midlands and Dublin stations.
Defence barrister Michael Bowman said Puska lived in Mooklagh, near Tullamore, and had family ties to Crumlin, reports RTE.
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