The Abbeylara parish priest was formerly a curate in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, and Ferbane, Co. Offaly.

Friends and family of Ashling Murphy applauded as the jury was dismissed.

33-year-old Jozef Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, denies murder, and took to the stand yesterday afternoon.

33-year-old Jozef Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co. Offaly, denies the murder of the schoolteacher along the Grand Canal in Tullamore on January 12th, 2022.

Jozef Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co. Offaly, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 23-year-old schoolteacher, who died while exercising along the Grand Canal in Tullamore on January 12th, 2022.

23-year-old Ashling Murphy died while out for a run along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly on the 12th of January 2022.

It's believed the boy knew the woman but their relationship is not known.

The M6 is closed westbound between Junctions 5 and 6, with diversions in place.