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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Josh Salisbury

Ashling Murphy: Man arrested on suspicion of murder as funeral held

Ashling Murphy

(Picture: .)

Irish police investigating the death of Ashling Murphy have arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder.

Police on Tuesday said the man who was detained is being held at the Tullamore Garda Station.

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore in County Offaly, sparking a murder investigation.

The 23-year-old’s death has intensified debate around women's safety and prompted calls for more to be done to tackle violence against women and girls.

The arrest comes after police renewed an appeal for information, saying “significant progress” has been made in the murder investigation.

They have asked anyone who saw 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 to come forward.

Officers have asked members of the public whether they saw the man walking in the Tullamore area, or if they gave the man a lift last Wednesday evening.

Family members place their hands on the coffin as it is carried out of St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, after the funeral of Ashling Murphy(Niall Carson/PA) (PA Wire)

Ms Murphy was remembered Tuesday as “a kind, talented, loved and admired young woman”, as huge crowds gathered for the funeral in the village of Mountbolus, and outside St Brigid’s Church, where Ms Murphy’s funeral mass was held.

Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan, told mourners that Ms Murphy's murder has questioned attitudes, particularly attitudes towards women, and “our values and morality".

He said: “The past few days have been a nightmare. A walk on a mild and sunny afternoon in January should be a happy event, promising the brighter and warmer days of spring and summer.

“That, as we know, was not the case. A depraved act of violence which deprived a kind, talented, loved and admired young woman of her life has since united the country in grief and support.

“We all know that no individual should die like Ashling and no family should suffer like Ashling’s.”

Pupils from Ashling Murphy’s class hold photographs of her and red roses outside St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for her funeral (PA) (PA Wire)

Parish priest Michael Meade told mourners that Ashling's family has been “robbed of your most precious gift".

“A gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many, many beyond yourselves and bounds of your own home," Fr Meade added.

Children outside the church held photographs of Ms Murphy and roses. The message next to Ms Murphy's image read: “Fly high in the sky, Our shining light."

Vigils have been held across both Ireland and the world in her memory, and to call for more action to tackle gender-based violence.

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