A teenage boy has admitted to murdering Lorna Woodnutt in Tullamore, County Offaly in September 2023.

The boy, who can't be named because he’s under 18, was due to stand trial today but pleaded guilty to her murder when the charge was put to him this afternoon.

The court directed that a probation report be prepared ahead of his sentence hearing, which is due to take place later this month.

Unlike adult cases, the mandatory life sentence attached to a murder conviction doesn’t apply when the offender is a child.

FILE PHOTO shows the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin City Centre. Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie