Ashling Murphy: Man arrested on suspicion of murder on day of teacher's funeral

The arrest comes on the day that the 23-year-old’s funeral took place.

Irish police said the man, aged in his 30s, is being questioned in Tullamore garda station in Co Offaly.

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, sparking a murder investigation.

Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral in the village of Mountbolus, and outside St Brigid’s Church, where Ms Murphy’s funeral was held today.

Her death has intensified debate around women’s safety and prompted calls for more to be done to tackle gender-based violence.

The arrest comes after police renewed an appeal for information, saying ‘significant progress’ has been made in the murder investigation.

Police released a description of a man in relation to the teacher’s death.

They have asked anyone who saw a man dressed in a black tracksuit top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side and black runners to come forward.

Officers have asked members of the public whether they saw this man walking in the Tullamore area, or if they gave the man a lift last Wednesday evening.

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Among the mourners at her funeral was Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin also attended.

Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina hugged the family of Ms Murphy at the funeral mass.

Symbols of Ms Murphy’s life were brought to the altar during her funeral, including a fiddle, a Kilcormac/Killoughey camogie jersey, a family picture, a school book and her photo.

Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan told mourners that ‘a depraved act of violence’ which deprived Ms Murphy of her life had united the country in grief and support.

Bishop Deenihan said her murder has asked questions of ‘ourselves and of society’, and has questioned attitudes towards women, and ‘our values and morality’.

‘Whether those questions will be addressed or passed over remains to be seen but we cannot allow such violence and disregard for both human life and bodily integrity take root in our time and culture,’ he added.

‘The past few days have been a nightmare. A walk on a mild and sunny afternoon in January should be a happy event, promising the brighter and warmer days of spring and summer.

‘That, as we know, was not the case. A depraved act of violence which deprived a kind, talented, loved and admired young woman of her life has since united the country in grief and support.

‘We all know that no individual should die like Ashling and no family should suffer like Ashling’s.

‘Respect is an old-fashioned word but it is an important one. Respect was missing last Wednesday but it has re-emerged here all the stronger.

‘Let us respect each other.’

He added that a light in last week’s darkness was the outpouring of support and sympathy.

Parish priest Michael Meade told mourners that Ashling’s family has been ‘robbed of your most precious gift’.

‘A gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many, many beyond yourselves and bounds of your own home,’ Fr Meade added.

‘Let us not be afraid to make change a reality in all our lives, change for what only is good.

‘Together we grieve, we pray, we hurt – this is the heavy price we pay for love – we gather as a family of faith, to be with, to support by our prayer and our presence, those whose darkness is deep, whose pain is raw and fierce.

‘The issues raised in many ways and by many voices since this horrible act of violence invaded all our lives will, we pray, continue to evolve and bring the change we need so much.

‘Not to talk about it but to simply give and show respect.’

Children outside the church held photographs of Ms Murphy and roses. The message next to Ms Murphy’s image read: ‘Fly high in the sky, Our shining light.’

Representatives from Ms Murphy’s local Gaelic football club as well as from her old school attended the parish church of Saint Brigid.

Schoolchildren provided a guard of honour outside the church prior to the funeral. A number of children also held fiddles and tin whistles.

Vigils have been held across Ireland and the world to remember Ms Murphy and to call for a change in tackling gender-based violence.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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