BREAKING: Guilty verdict for Jozef Puska in Ashling Murphy murder trial

THE jury in the Central Criminal Court has found Jozef Puska guilty of the murder of Ashling Murphy.

The 33-year-old had denied murdering the young Blueball woman on the bank of the Grand Canal at Cappincur, Tullamore on January 12 last year.

A native of Slovakia, Mr Puska was living at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh when he followed the 23-year-old schoolteacher at the canal between Digby Bridge and Boland's Lock, stabbing her with a knife and cutting her neck.

The jury of nine men and three women had been deliberating since shortly before 11 o'clock on Thursday morning (November 9).

Despite admitting the killing when questioned in hospital, being forensically linked with both Ms Murphy and a bike found at the scene, and confirming that he was on the canal bank that afternoon, Puska pleaded not guilty.

He claimed during the trial that he had been stabbed himself on the canal bank by another man, who also attacked Ms Murphy.

In sworn evidence he said he attempted to help Ms Murphy but then panicked and fled the scene.

The murder of Ashling Murphy, who was exercising on Grand Canal Way after finishing a day's work at Durrow National School, sent shockwaves around the county, country and worldwide.