Ireland

Ashling Murphy murder: Man in his 30s arrested

Ashling Murphy was killed while out running in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Ashling Murphy was killed while out running in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Gardaí investigating the death of Ashling Murphy have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

The arrest comes hours after the 23-year-old’s funeral took place.

Gardaí said the man, aged in his 30s, is being questioned in Tullamore garda station in Co Offaly.

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

Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral in the village of Mountbolus, and outside St Brigid’s Church, where Ms Murphy’s funeral was held on Tuesday.

Ashling Murphy funeral: 'Depraved act of violence' has united Ireland in grief

Her death has intensified debate around women’s safety and prompted calls for more to be done to tackle gender-based violence.

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

Police released a description of a man in relation to the teacher’s death.

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 this man walking in the Tullamore area, or if they gave the man a lift last Wednesday evening.

Among the mourners at her funeral was Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin also attended.

Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina hugged the family of Ms Murphy at the funeral mass.

Symbols of Ms Murphy’s life were brought to the altar during her funeral, including a fiddle, a Kilcormac/Killoughey camogie jersey, a family picture, a school book and her photo.

Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Ashling Murphy's boyfriend Ryan Casey and sister Amy Murphy comfort each other as they arrive for her funeral at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Schoolchildren taught by Ashling Murphy hold photographs of her as the cortege passes by on arrival at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire 
Schoolchildren taught by Ashling Murphy hold photographs of her as the cortege passes by on arrival at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire