Councillor wants safety audit of greenways and parks

A safety audit of greenways, parks and other public amenities in Westmeath has been called for following the murder of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy while she was out for a run in Tullamore. Her murder was condemned as horrific, depraved, shocking and disgusting by members of Westmeath County Council when they gathered for their first meeting of the new year last week.

Cllr Hazel Smyth called for the audit, saying that Ashling Murphy should not have died and that it was time to put a stop to violence against women and to ensure that this terrible tragedy is never repeated. She remarked that during the pandemic the greenways became our sanctuary, our safe place.

Since 1996, 236 women have died violently in Ireland. Calls to the Women’s Aid helpline increased by 38% in 2020, and one in four women has been abused by a current or former partner, Cllr Smyth said. No woman in Ireland today should be living in fear of being attacked, raped or abused by a man in any situation, she declared.

Cllr Smyth called on all men to help lead the change, to call out behaviour that is demeaning or degrading towards women, to tackle toxic masculinity and masochism. We must teach boys to respect women and that violence is never the answer, she said.

She called on the council to carry out a safety audit in the district, including parks and greenways and to use opportunities to support TEAM in Mullingar and other women’s refuges in the county. She urged the council to champion women in leadership positions in the community and to listen to their views on areas that require more garda presence.

Violent acts are not okay and cannot be condoned. Going for a walk should be okay, she said.

Seeing Ashling Murphy play the violin with her sister brought tears to my eyes – what if that was my sister, what if that was my friend, what if that was me? Cllr Smyth added. She said Ashling Murphy was a talented, good person who will be remembered for all the good she brought to this world.

May we now act together to ensure this terrible tragedy is never, ever repeated, she asked.

On behalf of herself and the Green party, Cllr Smyth extended her sympathy to Ashling’s family and friends.

Cllr Aengus O’Rourke supported the call for a safety audit. He cited situations where lights were out at a number of spots in Athlone for prolonged periods including the west side of the town, The Strand, The Promenade and the Bridge of Athlone. He said Athlone town park was not lit at all. We are expecting the public to use these facilities, they are public thoroughfares and we need to act quickly when they are without lights, he said.

Cllr O’Rourke said the nation was moved and sickened by the awful murder.

The chairman, Cllr Frankie Keena, said this depraved act of violence united the country in grief, stunned that this beautiful, talented young woman was murdered while just going for a run.

“I am shocked and disgusted at this evil act and I commend the gardaí on the tremendous work they are doing in apprehending a suspect,” he said. He added this horrific crime has rightly opened up much discussion on the urgent need to stop ongoing violence against women.

Cllr Keena extended his heartfelt sympathy to Ashling’s family and friends and said that the books of condolences signed in the civic centres in Athlone and Mullingar will be passed on to the bereaved family.

Cllr John Shaw said this event shocked the whole nation and we must highlight the issues that have surfaced since her death. On behalf of Fianna Fail, he joined in extending sympathy to the bereaved.

Cllr Denis Leonard spoke of the 50,000 call-ins to Women’s Aid and all those who did not make the call or hung up. He said Ashling’s untimely death hit all of us – she could be our sister, daughter, niece, neighbour, friend, our fellow camogie player or musician. He remarked that Ashling would have graced many of the stages at the fleadh in Mullingar this year.

He went on to say that Ashling Murphy gave back more in her short life than many would give in a life time – through coaching, community involvement, through her music. Cllr Leonard, on behalf of the Labour party, extended sympathy to all who knew Ashling and all who felt they knew her.

He asked that on International Women’s Day, March 8, the council should do something special to remember her and other victims of violence so that her legacy can be real action against violence against women.

Cllr Frank McDermott on behalf of Fine Gael joined in remembering a fabulous young lady with an unbelievable career stretching out in front of her, wiped off the face of the earth.

He remarked that in Fore, Collinstown and Castlepollard, there was an equally horrendous event when young Shane Gilchrist and Saoirse Corrigan, died in a road accident. It is a January we will never forget. May they all rest in peace, he added.

Pat Gallagher, on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff, joined in extending sympathy and condolence to Ashling’s family and friends, the wider Murphy and Leonard families, the local communities and organisations of which she was such an active, valued and talented member, and the school in Durrow where she taught. It is still hard to believe that such a thing could happen to a young woman out for a run on one of the nicest days we have had in a long time, in an area that is well travelled, he said

The meeting was adjourned as a mark of respect.