Children taught by Ashling Murphy form guard of honour at 'murdered' teacher's funeral

Connor Parker
·5 min read
Pupils from Ashling Murphy's class hold photographs of her and red roses outside St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, ahead of the funeral of the schoolteacher who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wedensday. 23-year-old Ashling, a primary school teacher and a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Pupils from Ashling Murphy's class hold photographs of her and red roses at her funeral (PA)

Students of Ashling Murphy formed an honour guard for their murdered teacher as mourners from across Ireland gathered to pay their respects at her funeral.

The body of the 23-year-old, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal last week in Tullamore, sparking a murder investigation.

Irish police investigating the primary school teacher's death have since arrested a man aged 30 on suspicion of murder.

Her death has intensified the debate around women’s safety and prompted calls for more to be done to tackle gender-based violence.

Tens of thousands of people have also attended vigils in recent days to honour Murphy.

Watch: Huge crowds line the street for Ashling Murphy's funeral

Huge crowds gathered for the funeral in the village of Mountbolus, and outside St Brigid’s Church, where Murphy’s funeral mass is being held.

Children outside the church held photographs of Ms Murphy and roses. The message next to Ms Murphy’s image read: “Fly high in the sky, Our shining light.”

Schoolchildren provided a guard of honour outside the church prior to the funeral. A number of children also held fiddles and tin whistles

Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin also attended.

Floral tributes and candles surround a photographer left at the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, where primary school teacher Ashling Murphy was found dead after going for a run on Wednesday afternoon. Picture date: Monday January 17, 2022.
Floral tributes and candles surround a photograph or Ashling Murhpy. (PA)
Irish police investigating the primary school teacher's death have since arrested a man aged 30 on suspicion of murder. (PA)
Irish police investigating the primary school teacher's death have since arrested a man aged 30 on suspicion of murder. (PA)

Parish priest Michael Meade told mourners that Ashling’s family has been “robbed of your most precious gift”.

“A gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many, many beyond yourselves and bounds of your own home,” Fr Meade added.

“Together we grieve, we pray, we hurt – this is the heavy price we pay for love – we gather as a family of faith, to be with, to support by our prayer and our presence, those whose darkness is deep, whose pain is raw and fierce.

Young musicians form a guard of honour outside St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wedensday. 23-year-old Ashling, a primary school teacher and a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Young musicians form a guard of honour at Ashling Murhpy's funeral. (PA)

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“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.

“Not to talk about it but to simply give and show respect.”

He said that Murphy’s love was “freely given and shared” through music, sport and her vocation as a teacher.

Mourners walk beside the hearse as the cortege arrives at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wedensday. 23-year-old Ashling, a primary school teacher and a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.

Murphy’s sister paid tribute to her on social media.

Amy Murphy described Ashling as the “light of our lives and the heart of our family”.

She asked musicians attending the funeral to bring their instruments and play music at the town’s lower cemetery after the funeral.

Watch: Northern Ireland political leaders hold vigil for Ashling Murphy

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Schools across Ireland observed a minute of silence in her memory.

It comes as Irish police investigating the death of Murphy renewed an appeal for information, saying “significant progress” has been made in the murder probe.

Police released a description of a man they want to speak to in relation to the teacher’s death.

Mourners arrive with flowers at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wedensday. 23-year-old Ashling, a primary school teacher and a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Mourners carrying flowers at Ashling Murphy's funeral. (PA)

They have asked anyone who saw a man dressed in a black tracksuit top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side and black runners to come forward.

Officers have asked members of the public whether they saw this man walking in the Tullamore area, or if they gave the man a lift last Wednesday evening.

The public has also been asked if they noticed the man loitering at any location or “involved in any activity which drew your attention”.

Mourners walk beside the hearse as the cortege arrives at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wedensday. 23-year-old Ashling, a primary school teacher and a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Mourners walk beside the hearse as the cortege arrives at St Brigid's Church. (PA)

Police said that “significant progress” is being made but would not confirm any specific details.

It comes as they identified a new person of interest, who is believed to be receiving treatment in hospital in the Dublin region, and are waiting to speak to him.

As their investigation continues, gardai believe the development of DNA profiles will form an integral part in the search for Murphy’s killer.

Crowds watch as Ashling Muprhy's coffin enters St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for the funeral of the schoolteacher who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wedensday. 23-year-old Ashling was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Crowds watch as Ashling Muprhy's coffin enters St Brigid's Church. (PA)

Police appealed to anyone who has not made contact with the investigation team and who has any information to come forward.

Gardai have also said they are concerned about people sharing information on social media, particularly private messaging apps.

Officers have appealed for people to stop sharing these messages.

Watch: Vigils held across island of Ireland in memory of Ashling Murphy