Vigil for Ashling to be held in Navan

A vigil will take place at Blackwater Park in Navan tomorrow (Friday) at 4pm in honour of the late Ashling Murphy, the 22-year-old teacher and musician who was killed in an horrific attack in Tullamore yesterday.

Participants are asked to bring a candle if they can and babies in buggies and children on scooters are also welcome.

The event is organised by Aoife Bradley who runs a fitness studio in Mullaghboy, who was deeply upset by the young teachers death.

"I couldn't get her little face out of my head all day, when I read about her horrific death. I go running down at the Ramparts three times a week. Since the pandemic, so may people are out walking and running. This was horrific.

"Someone wrote a poem on Instagram that I will read out and Karen Ball has donated a balloon which we will release.

"Like the whole country, my heart absolutely aches for what happened to Aisling in Tullamore at 4pm yesterday. Her life taken from her as she went for a run. "How often have we all done this and yes we should be able to be safe.

"Tomorrow we go around the track to show our deepest sympathy for Ashling and pay our respects."

The country is in shock today after yesterday's killing.

Ashling was a teacher in a local primary school, and was attacked along the Grand Canal towpath near Boland’s Lock at around 4pm yesterday.

It’s understood another woman jogger came across the assault and raised the alarm at a nearby house.

A man in his 40s was arrested a short time later and is currently being questioned at Tullamore Garda Station in connection with the incident. It’s understood the suspect has lived and worked in the town for some years.

Gardai are, at this stage, investigating the theory that it was a random violent attack.