Teacher beaten to death while jogging along Irish tow path
A PRIMARY school teacher has been beaten to death while she was jogging along a tow path in Ireland, triggering an outcry about women’s safety in public places.
Ashling Murphy, 22, a member of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, was killed on Wednesday afternoon at Cappincur in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
She was given medical attention but died at the scene after the 4pm attack.
A 40-year-old man, believed to be Romanian, was arrested but was released last night and is no longer a suspect.
Supt Eamonn Curley said: “There is no information that the victim and her killer were known to each other.
“We believe this crime was committed by one male who acted alone.
“Where the crime occurred is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes.”
Ms Murphy, who taught seven and eight-year-old pupils at Durrow National School, was described by James Hohan, its principal, as “fantastic, beautiful, an extraordinary sportsperson, Irish musician, choral conductor and an inspiration”.
Declan Harvey, a Fianna Fail councillor, said: “I am devastated. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time.
“She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words. Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal.”
Josepha Madigan, minister of state for special education and inclusion, said: “A young woman can’t even go for a run along a canal pathway at 4pm only to be attacked and murdered. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.”
Helen Mcentee, Ireland’s justice minister, said: “My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community.”