Ashling Murphy: MLAs hold Stormont vigil for murdered teacher

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Ashling Murphy

By PA news

MLAs have gathered in front of Parliament Buildings at Stormont for a vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy.

Before the Northern Ireland Assembly resumed business following its recess, politicians from the main parties came together to remember the Co Offaly teacher who was murdered last week.

First Minister Paul Givan, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood were among those in attendance.

They gathered in front of a portrait of Ms Murphy and a bunch of flowers.

Irish police are still hunting for the killer of Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher who was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.

 

Inside the Chamber Paul Givan said people in Northern Ireland and the Republic had come together as one community to share in grief over the murder of Ashling Murphy.

He told MLAs: “We need to get to the root causes of the type of issues which go to the heart of the way people think.

“We have to shape Government policy to put an end to this because too many people have suffered. Too many people have lost their lives.

“Unless we collectively make that change and give that targeted effort, we are going to come back to this, and we shouldn’t.

“I am committed to doing all that I can to play my part in addressing these issues and challenging the type of behaviour that needs to change.

“Ashling gave so much for someone who has been killed at 23, she had already given so much, and had so much more to give.

“Whether it is in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, we have all come together as one community and we share in that grief.

Michelle O’Neill said anger across Ireland at the murder of Ashling Murphy must “now turn into determined action”.

Addressing MLAs at Stormont she said: “Together we must stop violence against women and girls.

“Together we must say enough is enough; as we also remember many of the women, with Ashling, who were killed on this island in during the pandemic years.”

She then read a list of the names of 23 murdered women.

Ashling Murphy who was murdered in Co. Offaly last week

 

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