He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The Central Criminal Court has heard Jozef Puska told Gardaí he was in a fight in Blanchardstown in Dublin on the day Ashling Murphy died.
33-year-old Mr. Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co. Offaly, denies murdering the schoolteacher on January 12th, 2022.
Garda Keith Brennan from Crumlin Garda Station told the jury he was called to an apartment on the Armagh Road in Crumlin, Dublin 12 on the morning of January 13th 2022.
He said he observed Jozef Puska in the bedroom with what appeared to be an injury just below his belly button and with other injuries on his forehead and hands.
He said he asked Mr Puska’s cousin to act as a translator – who told him that Mr Puska claimed to have been in a fight in Blanchardstown the previous evening.
Sgt Paul McDonnell was in the detective unit at Blanchardstown Garda Station at the time, and told the jury he and his colleague visited Mr Puska in St James Hospital.
The court heard the Gardaí woke up Mr Puska, who appeared to be in good humour but it was apparent his English was not at a fluent level.
After asking Mr Puska what happened, Sgt McDonnell said he travelled to Dublin with a friend coming from Tullamore, he got a taxi from Heuston Station to Blanchardstown to meet a woman, and claimed he was set upon and assaulted by two men.
He described his injuries, but the court heard he couldn’t elaborate further.
The Trial continues tomorrow morning.
€114m Westmeath Wastewater Upgrade Complete
Mary O’Rourke Praised As “Hard Working” At Bridge Naming Ceremony
No Mini Budget Planned Despite Pressure Over Fuel And Energy Prices
Africa Day Celebrations Kick Off Across The Midlands
Tánaiste Hails ‘Proof’ Of Help to Buy Scheme Success Across The Midlands
Westmeath Woman Recounts Israeli Interception
Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Offaly House Fire
Mercosur Trade Deal Kicks Into Action Ahead Of European Court Ruling
Westmeath Woman "Deeply Ashamed" Of Spitting Incident
Taoiseach Pays Tribute To Mary O'Rourke At Bridge Dedication
Midlands Walking Club Celebrates 30th Anniversary This Weekend
OPW Minister Wants "Grown Ups" To Resolve Children's Science Museum Fallout
Offaly TD Criticises VAT Disparity For Beauty And Nail Salons
Laois Council Launches Clinics For Vacant Home Grants
Former Children's TV Presenter Revisits Midlands Towns On Nostalgic Journey
€7m Shannon Callows Flood Plans Facing Key Hurdles
Appeal Lodged Against New Lidl Development In Laois
Housing Completions Jump Sharply In Laois In Early 2026
Bressie To Perform At Oprah Winfrey Dublin Show
Daniel Kinahan To Be Held In Laois Prison