Murder victim Aishling Murphy
Gardaí say that “no stone will be left unturned” as they investigate the murder of Ms Murphy in Co Offaly.
A man in his 40s is still being detained in connection with the murder in Tullamore yesterday afternoon.
Ashling Murphy was a 23-year-old teacher who taught at Durrow National School.
She was attacked along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur at around 4pm yesterday, Wednesday, January 13.
Gardaí believe the attack, on a busy recreational route, was random.
At this stage, they said, there is “no information to show that the victim and her killer were known to each other”.
The attacker fled after two women came upon the attack. The women were able to give a detailed description of the attacker to gardaí.
An incident room has been set up at Tullamore Garda Station.
Detectives believe people were in the area at the time of the attack, some of whom may have witnessed the crime.
They say it is vital that these people or anyone with any information come forward.
Gardaí said they “continue to retain an open mind in this investigation” and believe that the “crime was committed by one male who acted alone”.
In a media briefing this morning, gardaí appealed to anyone who was on the Grand Canal Way in Tullamore yesterday between 3pm and 5pm to contact them.
Superintendent Eamon Curley said gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone “behaving unusually” in the area to come forward.
“Any information you have, however insignificant you feel it may be, we need to hear from you.”
Information received from the public to date has assisted gardaí in reaching the current stage of the investigation, Supt Curley added.
Over 50 gardaí have been assigned to the investigation and personnel from national specialist units, including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Superintendent Eamon Curley siad: “No stone will be left unturned in bringing the perpetrator of this crime to justice.”
The sense of shock in Tullamore and the midlands is palpable following the murder.
After finishing teaching for the day, Ms Murphy had been out exercising, something she did regularly, on a route known as Fiona’s Way – in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender.
A traditional musician from a musical family, she was well-known in the midlands and in music circles all over the country.
The scene between Digby Bridge and Boland’s Lock remains sealed off as gardaí continue to gather evidence as part of their investigation.
A man, who was arrested away from the scene a short time later, remains in garda custody in Tullamore. He can be questioned for a total of 24 hours.
Gardaí said the suspect is well-known to them and has been suspected of being involved in previous violent incidents.
Ms Murphy’s body was removed from the scene late last night to the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish a cause of death.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said what happened in Tullamore was every woman and every family’s “worst nightmare”.
Every effort is being made and will be made to ensure that justice is done, she added.
The minister spoke to the Garda Commissioner this morning and said that gardaí will be given the support they need. She appealed for people with any information to come forward.
Minister McEntee added: “We need to make sure it’s not just women taking actions to feel safe – that it’s men and women.”
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