The vigil held this afternoon in Coleraine.
(Photos: McAuley Multimedia)
A vigil has been held this afternoon in Coleraine, in memory of 23-year-old teacher, Ashling Murphy, who was murdered on Wednesday afternoon (12 January) while going for a run along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly.
The vigil was one of many being organised across Ireland and the United Kingdom as the young teachers’ senseless death provoked an outpouring of grief as well as anger and revulsion.
Members of the community gathered together, including local councillors and politicians, to stand together and remember the young woman.
Ashling was a teacher at Durrow national school and a musician. Her father, Raymond, told the Mirror newspaper:
“She was just a special girl. She’s the youngest, a little angel. She was a brilliant girl in every sense of the word.”
Gardaí continue to investigate the fatal assault on Ashling Murphy that occurred at approximately 4pm on Wednesday 12 January 2022.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said this evening (Friday 14 January): “Significant progress has been made in the investigation to date. An Garda Síochána is not confirming any specific details for operational reasons.
“An Garda Síochána continue to support Ashling's family at this time. The Murphy family are appreciative and overwhelmed by the national outpouring of support shown to them. The Murphy family have requested that they now need privacy, space and time to process Ashling's death.
“An Garda Síochána wishes to acknowledge the support of the public to date and in order to assist the public in providing information to the investigation team a dedicated phone line 057 9357060 has been established at Tullamore Garda station.
“An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to any person who has not made contact with the investigation team and who has any information on this fatal assault to come forward.
“An Garda Síochána continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks (image below) prior to 4pm on Wednesday 12 January 2022 and in the previous days/weeks.
“Gardaí continue to appeal to any persons that were in the Cappincur/ Canal walk area of Tullamore, County Offaly before 4pm, Wednesday, 12 January 2022, to make contact with them.
“Gardaí continue to appeal to any person in and between the Tullamore town centre area and the wider approach roads to The Grand Canal Way in the vicinity of Capincur on the 12th January 2022, with any form of video footage (Dashcam, CCTV, Mobile phone, GoPro Cam etc..), to contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 9357060, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Ashling Murphy