Woman fatally injured in Tullamore attack has been named
The young woman who was killed in an attack while running on the canal towpath in Tullamore yesterday afternoon has been named.
Ashling Murphy was fatally injured when she was attacked while out jogging along the Grand Canal on the outskirts of Tullamore yesterday afternoon.
A primary school teacher in her early 20s, Ms Murphy comes from a well known local musical family.
She was attacked along the Grand Canal towpath near Boland’s Lock at around 4pm yesterday.
It’s understood another woman jogger came across the assault and raised the alarm at a nearby house.
A man in his 40s was arrested a short time later and is currently being questioned at Tullamore Garda Station in connection with the incident. It’s understood the suspect has lived and worked in the town for some years.
Gardai are, at this stage, investigating the theory that it was a random violent attack.
The body of the young woman remained at the scene until late last night. The area remains preserved this morning as Garda investigations continue.
The violent attack has left the region stunned and there has been an outpouring of grief and sympathy for her family and friends.
Local TD Barry Cowen said that the locality is “stunned” and “numbed”.
“Everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with the young woman’s family,” he said.
Speaking on Morning Ireland earlier, Councillor Declan Harvey extended his sympathy to Ms Murphy's family.
“It’s unthinkable what happened yesterday, it’s a route that we walk, myself and my wife and my family. During the pandemic it was a saving grace for us all, it kept us all sane.
“I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling’s father, mother and all her extended family. I’m devastated. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about it.”
Gardai in Tullamore are appealing for any person with any information on this fatal assault to come forward. In particular Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore, before 4pm yesteday to make contact with them.
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.
An incident room has been established at Tullamore Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. A family liaison officer has been appointed and is liaising with the family of the deceased.