Murder of 23-year-old teacher Ashling unites Ireland in ‘revulsion’

The murder of 23-yearold teacher Ashling Murphy has “united the nation in solidarity and revulsion”, the Irish premier has said.

His comments came as Ireland’s deputy premier said society has to face up to an “epidemic of violence against women”, with senior politicians promising the entire resources of the Irish police are available to bring the killer to justice.

Gardai are continuing the hunt for the killer of the young teacher, who was found dead on Wednesday after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said yesterday: “It’s a very sad moment in our nation’s affairs when a young, talented musician had her life violently taken a few days ago, and our hearts and our minds go out to the Murphy family and to particularly the young pupils who no doubt would have been looking forward to Ashling’s presence in the classroom, teaching music or sport as well as the broader curriculum.

“I’ve always been of the view a national teacher, from the beginning of the State, has been the bedrock upon which our society was built.

“And, in many ways, Ashling Murphy represented and personified the very best of that tradition of national teaching.

“I think it has united the nation in solidarity and revulsion at what has happened.”

He added: “No stone will be left unturned in terms of bringing this investigation to a completion and to bring the person responsible for this to justice.”

The death of Ms Murphy has sparked fresh debate about the safety of women in Ireland.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said yesterday he was devastated by the murder.

He said tackling gender-based violence had been a priority of the Irish Government for “quite some time”.

“But it can’t just be the government,” he added, in a news conference in Co Kildare.

“The government has to lead but it can’t just be the government.

“We, as a society, need to face up to this. There is an epidemic of violence against women. It’s been going on for millennia.

“Men and boys, I think, in particular have a responsibility to start to have that conversation about the kind of factors, the kind of attitudes, that give rise to feelings that engender men to commit acts of violence against women.

“I would hope by shining a light on genderbased violence it might help us to have this discussion in society and to improve things.”

Earlier, Justice Minister Helen McEntee had promised “every resource” would be provided to gardai in the investigation.

A garda on duty near where Ashling Murphy died.