Friends and family are attending the primary school teacher’s funeral today in St Brigid’s Church in Dublin as police say they are making ‘significant’ progress in their investigation
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Ashling Muphy: Huge crowds line the street for funeral
Hundreds of people gathered today for the funeral of murdered teacher Ashling Murphy, including tearful children from her primary school class.
Popular Ashling, 23, was attacked and killed in broad daylight as she was out jogging by the Grand Canal in Co Offaly, Ireland, last Wednesday.
The brutal murder of the talented musician led to an outpouring of grief across the country, with tens of thousands of people attending several vigils across Ireland and in London held in her honour.
Hundreds of people, including the schoolchildren she taught, teammates from Kilcormac Killoughey GAA club and musicians lined the street ahead of her being laid to rest in St Brigid’s Church at 11am before her burial in Lowertown Cemetery.
Ashling’s former pupils formed a guard of honour for their teacher
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The children stood in a guard of honour, each holding a photograph of their teacher which say ‘Fly high in the sky, Our shining light,’ as well as a single red rose.
Father Michael Meade said: “Together we grieve, together we pray, together we hurt – this is the heavy price we pay for love.
“We gather as one family to be with, to support by our prayer and our presence, those whose darkness is deep, whose pain is raw and fierce. Kathleen and Ray, Cathal, Amy and her boyfriend, Ryan – you have been robbed of your most precious gift – a gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many beyond your family.
“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, to simply give and show respect.”
A pupil from Ashling Murphy’s class holds a photograph and a red rose
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Ashling Murphy was well known for her musical talents
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Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin and other politicians were among those in attendance.
Ahead of the service symbols of Ashling’s life were brought to the altar, including a fiddle, a Kilcormac/Killoughey camogie jersey, a family picture, a school book and her photo.
Screens weere set up in Killoughey community centre and Kilcormac/Killoughey GAA pitch to cater for the large crowds.
Mourners walk beside the hearse as the cortege arrives at St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly
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Speaking in the service Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, called on people to ‘respect each other’, adding her murder has questioned attitudes, particularly 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.
“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.
People with instruments join a large crowd of people filling the street for today’s service
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“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.”
A woman embraces a little girl at Ashling Murphy’s funeral
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Earlier Ashling’s sister Amy paid tribute to her on social media, describing her as the “light of our lives and the heart of our family”.
It comes as Gardai say they are looking at two key pieces of evidence they hope will lead to tracking down her killer.
Officers were seen investigating a bottle bank around half a mile away from where Ashling was attacked which is covered by CCTV.
Taoiseach Michael Martin arrives at the funeral for Ashling Murphy
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And they are still looking for information on a black Falcon Storm mountain bike with distinctive yellow or green front forks.
It comes as they identified a new person of interest, who is believed to be in hospital in the Dublin region receiving treatment, and are waiting to speak to him.
Gardai said in a statement: “We are now asking for any member of the public who was on the Grand Canal Way on the morning or afternoon of the January 12 between Digby’s bridge and Ballycommon to contact the investigation team.
Ashling Murphy’s family arrive at the service
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Members of Kilcormac Killoughey GAA club, where Ashling Murphy played camogie, form a guard of honour
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“Whether you think you saw anything or not please contact gardai in Tullamore.
“We continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks prior to 4pm on Wednesday and in the previous days and weeks.
“We are now asking for people in Tullamore to think about last Wednesday after 4pm and not to confine their thoughts to the Falcon Storm mountain bike.”
Gardai said they are concerned about people sharing information on social media, particularly private messaging apps.
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