People from all over Ireland are expected join the minute’s silence at Ashling Murphy’s funeral, which begins at 11:15am. There will also be a public outpouring of grief.
The funeral takes place as gardaí released a description of her suspected killer for the first time.
Gardaí are planning more checkpoints in Tullamore in coming days to ask the public for information and find anyone who may have helped her killer escape.
According to gardaí, at the time of the attack the suspected killer wore a dark tracksuit with no hood and black tracksuit bottoms with a large, distinctive white stripe.
This description is based on footage of a Falcon Storm Mountain biker on CCTV. It was taken close to the time that the murder occurred and corresponds with a description given by one of the two witnesses.
Since Thursday, a still taken from CCTV circulated online. The authenticity of the image was confirmed by the man interrogated regarding the crime before being removed.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Michael D Higgins will join Ashling’s family and friends at the funeral today, while hundreds of thousands of people across the country are expected to join a minute’s silence while the service is taking place.
An Garda Síochána set up checkpoints on the two bypasses outside Tullamore appealing for information on anyone who may have driven the suspect to the town’s train station, or to Dublin, in the hours after the murder.
Ashling Murphy died last Wednesday. Today is Ashling Murphy’s 23rd birthday. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the minute of silence at 11am.
Investigators are looking for a man seen riding near the scene where Ashling Murphy, a schoolteacher was shot to death, is attempting to find him. According to gardaí, at the time of the attack the suspected killer wore a dark tracksuit with no hood and black tracksuit bottoms with a large, distinctive white stripe (pictured: CCTV still)
Ashling Murphy’s brother, sister, mother, and aunt joined arms as they walked together along the Grand Canal, Tullamore County Offaly during the Jan 14 Vigil for the Murdered Teacher
In memory of Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher who was killed in the line of duty in Camden, people hold a vigil. It will take place at Camden’s London Irish Centre on Saturday January 15, 2022.
Gardaí have still not been able to trace the suspect’s movements in the hours after the killing and have made inquiries at Tullamore taxi companies to ask if they had taken the suspect to one of three locations – Dublin, the Offaly village where he lives, or to the train station after the killing.
Yesterday, a taxi driver stated that Garda’s questions focused on one suspect who was well-known to his company. He was seen in
Dublin shortly after the murder, and was then admitted to Dublin’s hospital. His body had suffered cuts and bruises.
A source close to the case said that gardaí are examining the possibility that Ashling tried to fight off her killer with keys she was carrying when she went jogging after work last Wednesday.
Radu Floricel, who was wrongly suspected by gardaí in the first 24 hours of the investigation, confirmed to the Irish Daily Mail that a still we showed him of a cyclist wearing dark tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe is from a video of the suspected killer that was repeatedly shown to him when he was being questioned in Tullamore Garda Station.
Mr Floricel was released last Thursday and gardaí released a statement confirming that he was no longer a suspect.
On Saturday, hundreds attended the Kinsale vigil/walk to honor Ashling Murphy (23 years old). The town was quieted as many people silently walked through the streets. Candles were also lit at the town park.
The fourth day of yesterday’s search for the suspect continued. This investigation has been one of the most significant in State history. He is the father of several children that live in the home.
Gardaí are now liaising with police in his home country to check if he has a criminal record. On Sunday, the Mail observed seven gardaí in forensic suits removing possessions from the home, while three plain-clothes gardaí and a uniformed officer conferred with them.
This huge operation to find the family is being conducted at Offaly Village, where the family lived after originally living in Tullamore.
Gardaí have also removed a bottle bank on the Daingean Road in Tullamore where they believe the suspect may have dumped either clothing or a knife after the killing. Gardaí sealed off seven other bottle banks at the site, which is monitored by a CCTV camera.
Investigators would like to speak with the suspect who was from Central Europe but is still in hospital.
Ms Murphy comes from a well-respected family, which is also known for its music.
Pictured: Map showing the location where Ms Murphy’s corpse was discovered on Grand Canal Way (also known as Fiona’s Way). This route was named after Fiona Pender (missing woman), to whom there’s a Tullamore monument
Garda meets a rambler at Grand Canal, Tullamore Co Offaly. This is where Ashling Murphy, primary school teacher was discovered dead on Wednesday after he went for a run. Image date: Monday January 17th, 2022
In a renewed appeal, gardaí asked Tullamore residents to come forward if they noticed 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.
Gardaí are still looking for information about the bicycle, which has straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks.
A statement from An Garda Síochána added that the force ‘continues to be concerned’ about the activity of persons sharing information on social media and, in particular, private messaging apps.
An Garda Síochána said it ‘appeals to everyone to STOP sharing these messages’, adding: ‘Not only are they misinformed, inaccurate and dangerous, they are unhelpful to the criminal investigation. Contact the Tullamore Garda Station investigation team if you have relevant information for this criminal investigation.
Mountbolus is near Tullamore where the funeral will be held this morning for the teacher of primary schools.
Teachers unions asked for a moment of silence in all schools when the funerals for the victim begin at 11:00 today.
Rosary was said at 8pm for her.
For Requiem Mass, at 11:15, her coffin will be delivered to St. Brigid’s Church Mountbolus.
The chief celebrant is Fr Michael Meade from Kilcormac & Killoughney.
Mountbolus’ Lowertown Cemetery will be the location of the burial.
Unions including Fòrsa, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland have urged schools and colleges to observe the minute’s silence.
The two men said together: “We urge schools to remain silent as we remember Ashling, our beloved teacher in primary school, who died too young and to express solidarity with all her family members, friends and colleagues, while Ashling is laid down.”