The Central Criminal Court will this week begin pre-trial proceedings in the case of a man accused of murdering 23-year-old teacher Ashling Murphy last year, reports RTE.
Joseph Puska, 32, of Linally Grove, Co Offaly, with an address in Muckleagh, is accused of murdering Ms Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly in January 2022.
The prosecutor’s attorney Ann Marie Lawlor told the court that the preparatory proceedings would take two weeks.
The jury will then be sworn in, and the trial is expected to last a total of six weeks, reports RTE.
The trial will begin on Wednesday morning before Judge Tony Hunt.
Ms Murphy, a primary school teacher and talented musician, died on January 12, 2022, while jogging along the Grand Canal in Tullamore.
Defence attorney Michael Bowman previously told the court that a Slovak translator would be needed at the hearing.
Members of Ms Murphy’s family were in court for today’s short hearing, reports RTE.
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