Two years on, Ashling’s family remember
HUNDREDS gathered along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore yesterday to remember murdered teacher Ashling Murphy on the second anniversary of her death.
The 23-year-old was killed on the afternoon of January 12, 2022, while out exercising along the banks of the canal.
Mourners, along with her family and close friends, remembered the gifted teacher and musician at an area known as Digby Bridge, at Cappincur, as they retraced the young woman’s last steps.
Her father Pat, mother Kathleen, sister Amy, brother Cathal and boyfriend Ryan Casey led a walk to mark the anniversary of Ashling’s death, which shocked the nation.
Ashling’s sister Amy laid a bouquet of red and white roses on the memorial site, which was adorned with photographs of the much-loved primary school teacher.
A note on the bouquet read: ‘Missing you baby sister each and every day. Always on our minds and in our hearts Ash. Lots of love Amy.’
Poignant music was performed and Ashling’s father Pat played the mandolin accompanied by several other musicians.
He thanked the crowd for attending on a ‘bitterly cold’ afternoon to remember their ‘adored’ daughter, sister and girlfriend.
The father of three said he wanted to keep his daughter’s name ‘out there and keep doing everything she loved, including music’. He added: ‘So thanks so much.’
Her family and the large crowd then observed a minute’s silence. Locals led a decade of the rosary while musicians played tunes including Ashling’s favourite song, When You Were Sweet 16 by The Fureys.
The organisers of the Ashling
Murphy Memorial Fund have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
As Jozef Puska serves a life sentence for the murder of Ashling, her friends and colleagues remembered how she lived.
James Horan, principal of Durrow National School where she taught, described how
Ashling’s ‘smile, her personality and her character was always bubbly and infectious. The minute she entered through any door she would lift up any room. Children idolised her. She brought great chat, co-operation, banter. But she was so kind, beautiful, caring and a tremendous person who had so many talents.’
The area of the canal where Ashling was killed is known as Fiona’s Way, after 25-year-old Fiona Pender disappeared there in 1996, when she was seven months pregnant.
The National Women’s Council said: ‘We remember Ashling Murphy and all the women murdered in this country. The change we collectively demanded after Ashling’s death must be realised – the zero tolerance Strategy to end Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence Services programme must be fully funded and implemented.’
‘A tremendous person with so many talents’