Jozef Puska has told the Central Criminal Court that he doesn't remember confessing to killing Ashling Murphy while he was in hospital.
Mr. Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, denies murdering the schoolteacher.
Jozef Puska told the court this morning he and Ashling Murphy were both attacked by the same man on the 12th of January 2022.
He said he tried to help Ashling Murphy after the attack, but later admitted ‘it wasn’t in his power’ as he had no medical experience, and he then left.
Under cross examination this afternoon from the prosecution, Jozef Puska said he didn’t remember making admissions to Gardaí that he killed Ashling Murphy in St. James Hospital.
It was put to him that he met with a solicitor every day between the 14th and the 16th of January while in hospital.
He said he only remembered one meeting but didn’t know what day it was.
He was asked by prosecuting counsel Anne Marie Lawlor if he was lying about his memory of events in the hospital.
He said he was telling the truth adding, ‘whatever I remember, I tell you’.
He agreed that he had told lies in parts while in St James’ Hospital and at Tullamore Garda Station.
When Ms. Lawlor put to him that he was lying in his evidence today, Jozef Puska said ‘I am telling you what I remember’.
The trial continues on Monday morning.
