On the evening of 14 January, through an interpreter, after Tullamore gardaí told him they were investigating Ashling Murphy's murder, Mr Puska said: "I did it. I murdered. I am the murderer."

He said he did not do it intentionally. He felt guilty and he was sorry.

He later told another garda that when she passed [him], he "cut her." "I cut her neck," he said, "she panic, I panic."

He also pointed to his abdomen and said "I do this."

Ms Lawlor said the exact circumstances of Ms Murphy's death were not known publicly at this time.