The tragic death of Ashling Murphy in County Offaly has led to a huge Gardai murder investigation today with requests to the public to come forward if they witnessed the incident.
People all over the country have expressed horror and sadness on social media at the murder of the young woman who was a teacher at Durrow National School and a traditional musician. She was attacked on the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur at approximately 4pm on Wednesday. The attacker fled when two women came across the scene.
According to RTE, Gardai have moved to reassure the public that they will carry out a very comprehensive investigation and that a man in his 40s has been detained in connection with their initial enquiries. He is allegedly known to the Gardai.
At the moment it is believed that the attack was random and that Ashling did not know her attacker. The scene remains sealed off by Gardai so that they can gather further evidence.
Gardai have appealed to the public to come forward with any information and in particular that anyone who was in the vicinity of the Grand Canal Way between 3pm and 5pm should get in touch. They have reminded people that any piece of information, however small, can make a big difference to an investigation like this and can progress matters in a significant way.
Carol Nolan, TD for Laois/Offaly expressed her condolences on Facebook, saying:
“I’m shocked and saddened to hear that a young woman was killed in an assault earlier this evening in Tullamore, it’s truly shocking to hear such awful news. My thoughts and prayers are with this young lady’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee also expressed condolences with Ms. Murphy’s family, saying that she was “killed in a truly shocking way”, and reassuring the public that the Garda investigation would be carried out in a way so that justice would be done.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station, any garda station, or the Garda Confidential Line.
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