Ashling Murphy Wiki – Ashling Murphy Biography
Ashling Murphy was a primary school teacher from Tullamore, County Offaly. She died after being attacked while jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur.
A man arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a young woman in Ireland while she was out for an afternoon jog is to face further questioning.
Age
She was 23 years old.
Ashling Murphy Killed
When she was fatally attacked on Wednesday afternoon, the talented musician had been out for a run along a canal towpath in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
The horrific incident has sent shockwaves across the community and beyond, with detectives vowing to leave ‘no stone unturned in bringing her killer to justice.
Gardaí confirmed last night that Ashling had died, and a murder investigation had been launched.
Detectives have not established any link between the teacher and her killer.
A source told Belfast Live: ‘It looks like a stranger murder.’
Officers believe some locals may have witnessed the horrific killing and have appealed for them to come forward.
Suspect Arrested
In his 40s was arrested within walking distance of the crime scene yesterday and is being held in custody for further questioning today.
The arrest happened after two women reportedly came upon Ashling being attacked in the popular walking area at around 4 pm, the Irish Examiner reports.
Police Report
Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday: ‘This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes.
‘Our prayers are with Ashing’s family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues, and the children she taught who are without their teacher today.
‘Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched.’
The stretch of the canal where the attack occurred is called Fiona’s Way in memory of Fiona Pender, a woman who grew up nearby and had been missing since 1996 when she disappeared.
Bouquets and a candle have been left on the bank where Ashling was killed.
In an unsigned handwritten message left at the scene, a local person wrote: ‘You were one of the kindest girls I’ve met. Always helpful, always had a smile on your face. You were a great mentor on and off the pitch. Fly high angel. Rest in Peace.’
Tributes
Ashling taught first class at Durrow National primary school and was well known in traditional music circles.
Former principal of Durrow National School where Ms Murphy worked, Frank Kelly, a friend of the Murphy family, told The Irish Times: ‘She was a shining light as a teacher, the children in her class adored her. Her word was gold; they worshipped the ground she walked on.’
‘She was an absolute gem. She came to the school as a substitute teacher in March 2021 and was then put on a fixed-term position from September.
‘Ashling was very musical; she had recently bought a set of uilleann pipes and was going to learn how to play them, they are a very difficult instrument to master, but no obstacle was too big for her.
‘She also loved her sports and was involved with the choir.
‘Her smile would light up a room.’
Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: ‘Ashling was recent with the Durrow school kids doing a choir with them.
‘She was a very popular teacher and a very popular person. It’s a big shock to us all. This should never happen, and it’s beyond comprehension.‘I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling’s father, mother, and all her extended family.
