Female primary school teacher, 22, is beaten to death in random attack in popular Irish walking spot
Female primary school teacher, 22, is beaten to death in random attack while jogging in popular Irish walking spot
The murdered woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling MurphyA man has been arrested in connection with the suspected murder in Co OffalyMs Murphy died after being attacked while she was jogging along a canal bank The attack was carried out at around 4pm on Wednesday
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The murdered woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore
A primary school teacher has been beaten to death in a random attack while jogging through a popular Irish walking spot.
The woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore.
A man has been arrested in connection with the suspected murder of the young woman in County Offaly, and is to face further questioning. Police are appealing for witnesses.
Ms Murphy died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona’s Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender.
Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: ‘I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling’s father, mother and all her extended family.
‘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.’
Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk.
‘Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal,’ he added.
‘It’s a lovely area and helps clear your head. It’s a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.’
Ms Murphy (pictured left and right) died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona’s Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender
Justice Minister Helen McEntee tweeted: ‘My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community.
‘Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.’
Further Education Minister Simon Harris said: ‘A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed.
‘Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility.’
A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the incident, and is being detained at Tullamore Garda Station.
The Office of the State Pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau have been notified, and an incident room has been set up at Tullamore Garda Station.
Pictured: Flowers are left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed in Co Offaly. She died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday. Picture date: Thursday January 13, 2022
Superintendent Eamonn Curley speaks to the media near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly
‘This man is in custody but more people who saw elements of the attack, or either the victim or the suspect before or after this terrible crime, are now being urgently sought, as we continue to question the suspect,’ a source told the Independent.ie.
‘We are building a case but the more witnesses we have the better chance we have of getting a swift conclusion to this crime. That is our major focus today, speaking to anyone who saw either the victim or the suspect along the canal either before or after the attack,’ the source added.
It has been reported that two women witnessed part of the attack, and saw the suspect flee the scene. He was arrested shortly after.
Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them.
Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: ‘A young woman can’t even go for a run along a canal pathway – at four o’clock, in the middle of the day – only to be attacked and murdered.
‘Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.’
