Fund established in honour of Ashling Murphy

A memorial fund in honour of Ashling Murphy has been launched, ahead of the one-year anniversary of her death.

The fund is to support individuals, groups and other organisations that Ms Murphy had a connection with and who continue the legacy she left behind.

The fund has been officially established through the Charities regulator.

A statement released by the fund's committee said "Ashling was fully committed to everything she put her hand to, she was highly motivated and always believed in following her dreams,"

"Ashling's parents, Raymond and Kathleen, are so grateful to everyone who continue to remember Ashling for who she really was by carrying on the great legacies she left behind. Ashling's name will live on forever," it said.

Ms Murphy's first anniversary mass will take place on Thursday.

To donate to the fund click here.

In a separate statement posted on social media the Murphy family thanked people for their endless support over the last 12 months.

The family paid tribute to their neighbours and friends for their immeasurable efforts and support following Ms Murphy's death.

They also thanked all those involved in the funeral mass and expressed gratitude to the Gardaí.

"The endless support received from many individuals, groups and organisations that Ashling was strongly a part of during her short 23 years was truly amazing," the statement said.

This week marks the first anniversary of Ashling Murphy's death. The primary school teacher from Offaly was attacked and killed while jogging along the Grand Canal just outside Tullamore, County Offaly.

Her death sparked outrage nationwide and saw numerous vigils and memorials held as communities paid their respect to the a life cut so tragically and cruelly short.

At a tribute held in Blackwater Park Navan in January 2022 Meath Women's refuge co-founder Kay Kearns spoke of how she was devastated by Ashling's death.

She said "My heart broke when I heard the news about Aishling Murphy. Finishing work as a young teacher and she decided to head out for a run on a bright evening, not dark at all, in her own lit up, well populated area and she met her death at the hands of a man".

Speaking at a vigil for Ashling in Blackwater Park in Navan, Cllr Yemi Adenuga said the Ashling's death was a needless act of violence.

"It's a sad but signifiant day that people can come together to commemorate an absolutely beautiful young women who had a very bright future ahead of her and her life was cut so short, this didn't have to happen.

I'm hoping this will be a wake up call and we can begin to think about how we raised our children"

Elsewhere in Trim a vigil was held at the wooden bridge in Trim. Speaking at the event Sandra Connolly said that Ashling's family was at the forefront of people's minds as

"We want to pay our respects to the parents and family of Ashling Murphy who was tragically murdered. The whole country just want to show, their support and our thoughts are with them, they must be heartbroken at the tragedy they are going through at the minute."

Other events took place at different locations around the county, including Ashbourne, Nobber, Dunderry, Ashbourne, Kells and Kilmessan.