A number of well-known faces have reacted to the murder of a young woman in Tullamore on Wednesday, as the Gardaí appeal for more information surrounding her death.
The 23-year-old woman, named locally as Ashling Murphy, was brutally attacked on a popular jogging route along the Grand Canal at around 4pm.
A man in his 40s has been arrested in connection with the incident, and was being questioned last night on suspicion of her murder.
Heartbreaking and shocking…
Young woman killed in Tullamore named locally as Ashling Murphy
Victim was out jogging on towpath in late afternoon when she was fatally attackedhttps://t.co/LTGg66CnTv via @IrishTimes
— Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) January 13, 2022
Ms Murphy, who worked as a primary school teacher, was well known in Tullamore, and her murder has shocked locals in the area as it happened in broad daylight.
Her death has once again highlighted the dangers women face on a daily basis, whether they’re going for a jog, or simply popping to the shop.
A host of Irish stars have reacted to her murder on social media, including Maia Dunphy, Keith Walsh, Louise McSharry, Deric Hartigan, and Muireann O’Connell.
Maia Dunphy tweeted an article about the incident, and wrote: “A young woman out for a run in the afternoon. I cannot get my head around this.”
In another tweet, she said: “Thinking of lovely Aisling Murphy and her family and friends today. I find it impossible to say ‘rest in peace’ in circumstances like this, as I know there is no peace for them right now. I am angry.”
A young woman out for a run in the afternoon. I cannot get my head around this. 💔https://t.co/tGxbh9LwXx
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) January 12, 2022
Thinking of lovely Aisling Murphy and her family and friends today. I find it impossible to say “rest in peace” in circumstances like this, as I know there is no peace for them right now. I am angry. 💔https://t.co/cOmHUjw6GZ
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) January 13, 2022
Radio presenter Louise McSharry also reacted Ashling’s murder on social media by tweeting: “Truly can’t think of anything to say that I and hundreds of other women haven’t already said over and over again.”
“It’s too much. Another one of us gone. RIP.”
Another well-known face who has reacted to the case on Twitter is broadcaster Keith Walsh, who tweeted on Wednesday night: “Enough is enough. It’s time for the men of this county to stand up.”
“It might not be all men but it is always men. Get together. Get angry. Do what you can. Talk to your friends. Talk to your sons. Talk to your Dads! Take some action. Be a true ally to the women of this country.”
Truly can’t think of anything to say that I and hundreds of other women haven’t already said over and over again. It’s too much. Another one of us gone. RIP. https://t.co/O8VS55L3cx
— Louise McSharry (@louisemcsharry) January 12, 2022
Enough is enough. It’s time for the men of this county to stand up. It might not be all men but it is always men. Get together. Get angry. Do what you can. Talk to your friends. Talk to your sons. Talk to your Dads! Take some action. Be a true ally to the women of this country.
— Keith Walsh (@KeithyWalsh) January 12, 2022
Virgin Media’s Deric Hartigan also shared a photo of the area where Ashling was murdered, and wrote: “Walked this part of the canal in #Tullamore only a few weeks ago.”
“Beautiful part of the country. Very popular with runners, walkers & cyclists. Horrific to see this type of violence in broad daylight or at any time of the day.”
“Extending thoughts & prayers to family & friends #rip.”
Ireland AM host Muireann O’Connell tweeted a photo of the victim, and wrote: “Violence against women as perpetrated by men is a pandemic. Ashling Murphy should be getting ready for school right now. There are no words.”
Walked this part of the canal in #Tullamore only a few weeks ago. Beautiful part of the country. Very popular with runners, walkers & cyclists. Horrific to see this type of violence in broad daylight or at any time of the day. Extending thoughts & prayers to family & friends #rip pic.twitter.com/yDB7hkV80U
— Deric (@deric_tv) January 12, 2022
Violence against women as perpetrated by men is a pandemic. Ashling Murphy should be getting ready for school right now. There are no words. pic.twitter.com/Ag6zVfONrY
— Muireann O’Connell (@MuireannO_C) January 13, 2022
Gardaí are appealing for people with information to come forward, particularly anyone who was in the Cappincur/canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore garda station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
