A teenager has pleaded guilty to the murder of Lorna Woodnutt who was killed in Co Offaly last year.
The boy, who is under 18, cannot be named under the Children Act.
A sentencing hearing will take place later this month.
The boy's defence counsel, James Dwyer, told the Central Criminal Court that the boy proposed to take a certain course of action.
He then pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Woodnutt in Co Offaly on 29 September 2023.
The boy was remanded in continuing detention.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott requested a report from the probation services.
The court was told a psychiatric report would also be made available.
Prosecuting Counsel Michael Delaney said victim impact evidence would be heard and the sentence hearing would take at least half a day.
Under the terms of the Children Act, the boy cannot be remanded for longer than 28 days and Judge McDermott listed the sentence hearing for 22 July.
