'The world should have been her oyster'
A vigil will be held this afternoon in memory of Ashling Murphy whose death has sent a dark cloud over the country since it happened on Wednesday.
The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) is organising the vigil for the 23 year old Offaly woman who was fatally assaulted while out running in Tulllamore.
It will be held outside Dáil Éireann from 4-5pm. The NCWI said people can bring flowers and candles and encouraged those to wear a mask. For those who can’t make it, the NWCI is asking people to light a candle at 4.30pm today.
A vigil will also be held in Cork on Saturday from 9.30am at the Atlantic Pond, close to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Gillian Coughlan said: “On behalf of the people of Cork County I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ashling Murphy. I am truly shocked by such an act of violence and can only imagine the sense of loss that is currently being experienced across the community in Tullamore and County Offaly.
"My thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved Ashling. As a fellow teacher and on a personal level I would like to offer my condolences to everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy. Comhbhrón ó chroí.”
On behalf of the people of Cork, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Colm Kelleher in conjunction with the Deputy Lord Mayor and chair of Cork City Council’s Women’s Caucus Cllr Mary Rose Desmond have opened an online book of condolence for the late Ashling Murphy.
The Lord Mayor described Ashling’s passing as “utterly tragic” and extended his sympathy to all who knew her.
“I open this online book of condolence, jointly with the Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Rose Desmond, as a sign of solidarity with the people of Tullamore in Co Offaly and Ashling’s family”, he said.
Cllr Mary Rose Desmond also expressed her sympathies to Ashling’s family, friends, pupils and the people of Tullamore.
She described the killing of Ashling Murphy as a “horrific crime”.
“She was a young woman at the start of her life, with opportunities and her career - the world should have been her oyster, “ she said.
An Garda Síochána said this morning they are continuing to investigate Ashling’s assault which occurred at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore.
Investigating Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front fork.
They are also appealing to anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on 12 January to make contact with them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any garda station.
A man had been arrested and detained by An Garda Síochána investigating this fatal assault but was released from this detention last night.
This male has been eliminated from garda enquiries and is no longer a suspect.