Ashling Murphy murder: Suspect released - vigils planned north and south

Q Radio News/PA

Officers investigating the fatal assault of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy in Co. Offaly on Wednesday afternoon have released a 40-year-old man they had been questioning late on Thursday night, saying he is no longer a suspect.

They have also renewed their appeal for information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike.

It is believed that her killer may have been riding the bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks when they attacked her.

Ashling, a primary school teacher in Tullamore aged in her 20s, was killed at around 4pm as she was jogging along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur.

Her death has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities in the Republic and Northern Ireland on Friday and over the coming days.

In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said: “The male who was arrested and detained by An Garda Siochana investigating this fatal assault has now been released from this detention.

“This male has been eliminated from Garda inquiries and is no longer a suspect.”

BREAKING: Man questioned over murder of Ashling Murphy in Co. Offaly yesterday released without charge and is no longer a suspect. pic.twitter.com/kROiVfHJJU

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 13, 2022

A vigil was held in Galway on Thursday night. 

Organisers said that hundreds of people gathered at Eyre Square in the city centre. 

Several speakers addressed the crowd during the event, at which a moment of silence was held. 

Musicians also played Irish traditional music in memory of Ms Murphy, a talented musician. 

Roisin Nic Lochlainn, the president of NUI Galway Students’ Union and one of the organisers of the vigil, told PA news agency that they wanted to send a “message of solidarity”.

“I think women across the country today are just feeling all of the emotions. 

“It’s a mix of rage and sadness and anger and despair as well,” she said.

“Ireland has failed women for centuries. 

“We’re all just thinking the same thing – when is it going to end?

“How many other women is it going to take for something to actually happen? 

“We know that Ashling would have taken that precaution to go in daytime and in a busy place.

“We know that because it’s what almost every single woman does.”

23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling was also a talented musician

The Women’s Council of Ireland is organising a vigil for Ms Murphy outside Leinster House from 4pm on Friday, to coincide with the time she was attacked.

The group said the vigil is being held to remember Ms Murphy and to support all who knew and loved her.

“Women must be safe in our homes and our communities. 

“Join us and call for an end to men’s violence against women,” they said.

People have been asked to bring flowers or candles. 

A minute’s silence will held in memory of Ms Murphy.

Events will also be held in Tullamore, Galway, Nenagh, Limerick, Cork, Derry/Londonderry and Belfast.

Floral tributes and messages have been left close to the scene, with one describing her as a “wonderful teacher, friend and exemplary role model”.

Tributes near to the scene in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, after Ashling Murphy was killed on Wednesday afternoon