A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Ashling Murphy.
Jozef Puska of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh Co. Offaly was brought before a special sitting of Tullamore District Court this evening.
The Slovakian National is accused of murdering the 23 year old school teacher last Wednesday while she was out for a run on the canal in Tullamore.
Jozef Puska appeared in court in a matching grey tracksuit and blue disposable face mask.
The court heard when charged at Tullamore Garda Station this evening and asked if he wanted to make a reply.
He said no.
Some family supporters were let into the court room and they held framed pictures of Ashling.
A Slovakian interpreter was provided for the accused.
Defence Solicitor Eoin Lysaght applied for free legal aid and for the services of an interpreter going forward for all hearings and
consultations.
Judge Catherine Staines remanded Mr Puska in custody to appear again at Clover Hill District Court on 26 January.
A second man arrested for potentially withholding information of relevance to the investigation has been released without charge - a file will be prepared for the DPP.
It comes just one day after she was laid to rest in her native Offaly.
Jozef Puska (31), with an address in Tullamore, Co Offaly, has left court in Garda custody after being charged with Ashling Murphy's murder.
⚠️The criminal proceedings are now live so please think before you tweet. Let's all let Lady Justice take it from here.— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) January 19, 2022