VIGILS will be held across Clare on Friday and Saturday in memory of the late Ashling Murphy.
Twenty three year old Ashling was murdered in Tullamore on Wednesday evening, the primary school teacher at Durrow NS had been out going for a run when she was attacked.
Her death has caused widespread sadness, shock and anger in equal measure across the entire nation.
Hundreds of people attended a vigil for Ashling in Galway on Thursday evening.
All men, women and children are welcome to attend the vigils but are encouraged to bring their own candle and to maintain social distancing.
Ennistymon will host its own vigil for Ashling on Friday evening at the Square beginning at 5:30pm. Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) is among the organisers. She told The Clare Echo, “We want to show solidarity with Ashling’s family and make a call to end violence against women”.
Clare Women’s Network will hold a vigil at 4pm at the Daniel O’Connell Monument in Ennis. “Everyone has thought of Aisling. Women in particular have found themselves thinking of the moments where their own safety has been compromised,” said Ellen Walsh Kerley. At Gallows Hill on the Kilrush Rd, there will be a vigil at 4:30pm.
In Shannon, there will be a vigil at the Town Park beginning at 6:30pm. At the same time, Corofin GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football clubs will come together under lights at Pairc Finne where they will walk in Ashling’s memory. Kilmaley National School running track is the meeting point for the Kilmaley vigil at 7pm. There will also be a vigil at 7:30pm in the car park of Clarecastle Church.
Ruan Camogie Club have also organised a moment of remembrance which will take place at Friday evening at 7pm. “In honour and remembrance” of Ashling, a walk at the GAA pitch in Ruan will be held, personnel going to the walk are asked to adhere to social distancing.
On Saturday, candles will be lit following a remembrance run at 4pm at Tim Smythe Park in Ennis. At O’Regan Park in Newmarket-on-Fergus, a vigil will begin at 4:30pm.
A highly accomplished performer, she enjoyed many successes in solo, duet, and trio competitions at county, provincial, and All Ireland Fleadhanna Ceoil from under 12 to Senior level. She was selected for the Macalla na hÉireann Comhaltas Tour of Ireland and Britain in 2017 and was a member of the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra.
Ashling was a member of the Senior and Junior teams of Kilcormac/Killoughey Camogie Club. Just three months ago, she graduated from Mary Immaculate College.
Calls for action to end gender-based violence have become more vocal since her death. A total of 244 women have been the victims of violent deaths in Ireland since 1996.
A man who was arrested and detained by An Garda Síochána investigating this fatal assault has now been released from this detention. He has been eliminated from Garda enquiries and is no longer a suspect.
Gardaí continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/ green front forks. Persons with information that have not yet come forward are asked to do so.
Individuals in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore, County Offaly before 4pm on Wednesday afternoon are also asked to contact Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
