RTE Liveline listeners called into the show this morning, where Katie Hannon sat in as Joe Duffy’s placement.
It’s not even been 24 hours since the heartbreaking and senseless killing of young teacher Aisling Murphy, 23, who was out jogging in broad daylight and was attacked by a stranger in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
The murder has unleashed an outcry of grief and waves of support across Ireland.
RTE Liveline guest, Pamela, 72, came on air to share her thoughts in response to the horrific incident and voice her thoughts on the issues women face on a daily basis, and what must be done.
Pamela shared how she was ‘awash with emotions’ that she was 72, stood in her kitchen and has daughters, and ‘has been afraid of men’ all of her life.
She shared how she felt ‘duty-bound’ to speak to Liveline, Pamela said: “I’m just stood in the kitchen, hearing the same old, same old, nothing changes. I have daughter’s myself, and I have been afraid of men all my life.”
Pamela shared: “Growing up in the culture, in the newspapers, mostly women being murdered by men, the programmes on the TV, it’s all about women being murdered by men, it’s everywhere, people must be asleep, I think the women are awake, and I think the men are asleep.”
Stand-in presenter Katie Hannon referenced the tsunami of emotion on social media in reaction to Ms Murphy’s murder, the widespread debate that the incident has sparked, and violence towards women.
Katie said: “When are we going to feel safe in public spaces?”
Pamela added the advice she had given her daughters growing up: “Growing up we were telling them to be careful, not to walk home alone at night.”
Katie and Pamela referenced the murder of Sarah Everard in the UK and the issue of how the vigil for Sarah Everard was policed.
“The issue for a lot of women is they just don’t feel safe, especially after dark.”, Katie said.
Second Liveline guest Tom O’Connor, a student from NUIG, shared: “I have friends who are girls, many of them go on a night out, they will share their location on Whatsapp with me, or another friend, the fact that vigilance may be needed during the day time is scary.”
It comes as vigils will be held across the country.
The National Women’s Council of Ireland will be holding a vigil tomorrow outside Dail Eireann from 4pm - 5pm in memory Ashling and are asking vigil attendees to bring flowers and candles while adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing.
"Ashling Murphy was killed yesterday when she was on a jog, in broad daylight. There has been a huge outpouring of grief and support across Ireland for Ashling and her family," the NCWI said.
"Tomorrow at 4pm, around the time Ashling was killed, we will hold a vigil to remember Ashling 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."
Katie stated: “It was still bright at 4pm yesterday, it has sent shockwaves around the country.”
“This is a shocking story, everyone is trying to come to terms with it.”
The organisation Why Not Her aimed at amplifying the voices of women across the entertainment, arts, creative, political and activism world added:
“#AshlingMurphy - a teacher, daughter, sister, beautiful musician & another victim of violence caused by a man which ended her life at age 23. We know it’s #NotAllMen but if you’re a man, speak & act up & show us solidarity. Be part of the solution.”
Building on what Pamela and Tom said, another Liveline guest Ruth discussed being opinionated as a woman, how there is deep misogyny towards women being independent and how she has listened to attitudes towards women her entire life.
Ruth Walsh added that men ‘need to show solidarity’ with women, to bring solidarity and effective change.
She shared her own experience of a shopping trip to M&S: “A man stuck his mask into my face, as I was paying he appeared at my side and made a smart remark.”
She said: “I’m asking men to turn up to this vigil, I don’t want to see a sea of women, I want to see men standing side by side, saying I don’t want to be associated with men like this.”
“We are all just human beings and we are entitled to our dignity and respect.”
She said, “To bring about the change you have to do the Rosa Parks, and ‘not give up your seat.”
In a statement shared this morning, Sarah Benson, the CEO of Women’s Aid, said: “The killing of women is the extreme end of a spectrum of violence and abuse that women in Ireland and across the world experience every day.”
“The appalling murder of Ashling Murphy, a young woman in Co. Offaly, yesterday is a shocking example of the dangers posed to women by violent men. We offer our sincere condolences to Ashling’s family, friends and community.”
