Jozef Puska's wife has been sent forward for trial accused of withholding information during the early stages of the investigation into Ashling Murphy's murder.

His two brothers, and their wives, have also been sent forward for trial on charges relating to the alleged obstruction of the Garda investigation.

Last month, Jozef Puska was found guilty of murdering 23yo schoolteacher, Ashling Murphy, along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore almost two years ago.

She and Puska were not known to each other.

Puska’s wife Lucia Istokova is accused of withholding information from gardai that could have secured the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of Jozef Puska for Ashling’s murder.

His brothers, Lubomir and Marek, are facing the same charge, which is alleged to have taken place at Tullamore Garda Station in the days after Ashling’s murder.

Lubomir’s wife, Viera Gazoiva, and Marek’s wife, Jozelina Grundzova, also appeared in court today accused of impeding Jozef Puska’s apprehension or prosecution.

They’re alleged to have done that at Puska’s home in Mucklagh sometime between the day Ashling was murdered and the 14th of January, which was two days later.

The DPP has directed that all five be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.