Today, the Ashling Murphy murder trial entered its fourteenth day at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. 

Jozef Puska, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, County Offaly is accused of murdering Ms Murphy and denies the charge. 

To follow all things related to the trial, you can listen to Newstalk Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney's daily podcast All Rise: The Ashling Murphy Murder Trial. 

Medical assessment

Today, the defence called its final witness, UK-based Dr Johann Grundlingh, who questioned the validity of Mr Puska telling Gardaí he killed Ms Murphy while he was in hospital.

Mr Puska previously told the jury he does not remember confessing to murdering Ms Murphy.

Mr Greaney explained Dr Grundlingh was given Mr Puska’s medical records from he was treated in St James’ Hospital last January for stab wounds, as well as Garda record statements. 

“In his report, which he presented to the jury today, he raised question marks over Josef Puska’s fitness to be interviewed by Gardaí on the evening of January 14, the evening after he had been admitted to hospital,” he said. 

“The jury was told Mr Puska had surgery the night before, and the doctor raised concerns about the effect of that surgery on him, as well as the unfamiliar environment and the language barrier. 

“He said all of those could have contributed to [Mr Puska] being confused.” 

Dr Grundlingh said he would have assessed Mr Puska before he was interviewed by Gardaí to see if he was able to answer questions properly, which did not happen in St James’. 

Painkillers

Mr Greaney said the witness also assessed the painkillers Mr Puska was given before his interview with Gardaí. 

“He noted that the last five milligram tablet that he was given was just two and a half hours before he said to have made the admission on the evening of the January 14 last year, two days after he's alleged to have murdered Ashley Murphy,” he said. 

“The only medication that would have been still in Mr. Puska’s system was the oxycodone. 

"He also lists the potential side effects of it as anxiety, confusion, depression, insomnia, abnormal thinking, and sedation.” 

Cross-examination

During cross-examination from the prosecution, barrister Anne-Marie Lawlor said the most amount of opioids Mr Puska could have had in his system was eight milligrams, while Dr Grundlingh’s report is based on Mr Puska having 20 milligrams of opioids in his system. 

“[She said] the doctor's report was therefore based on the wrong dosage,” Mr Greaney said. 

“This doctor confirmed that he has never worked in an Irish hospital and is UK-based. 

“He accepted the dosage of oxy given to Mr Puska was not excessive, but he said that Mr Puska wasn't assessed for side effects, which could have impaired his fitness to be interviewed.” 

As both the defence and prosecution have completed their case, the jury will now hear closing statements before starting deliberations, most likely to begin on Wednesday or Thursday.