Ashling Murphy: Man arrested over Tullamore murder is released

A man arrested over the murder of a young teacher in Tullamore, County Offaly, has been released "and is no longer a suspect", gardaí (Irish police) have said.

They said the 40-year-old had been eliminated from their enquiries.

Ashling Murphy, 23, was attacked on the banks of the Grand Canal outside the town on Wednesday afternoon and died at the scene.

Earlier, gardaí said they believed she was killed by one man who acted alone.

A team of more than 50 gardaí have been assigned to the murder investigation and an incident room has been set up in Tullamore.

"No stone will be left unturned in bringing the perpetrator of this crime to justice," said Supt Eamonn Curley.

In a press conference from the scene, he said Ms Murphy sustained serious injuries "consistent with an assault".

A post mortem examination has been carried out to determine the exact cause of her death, but gardaí said on Thursday evening that the results were not being released "for operational reasons".

Detectives have appealed for information about a Falcon Storm mountain bike.

They released a photo of the bike, which they said had "straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks".

They said they also still wanted to hear from anyone who was near the scene of the murder at Cappincur, Tullamore, on Wednesday afternoon.

Gardaí responded to the incident following a call from a member of the public at about 16:00 local time and found Ms Murphy with serious injuries.

She was given medical attention but could not be saved.

Ms Murphy worked at Durrow National School and she was also a talented musician and member of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland.

She taught 28 pupils in the 1st class (age six to seven) at the school and had joined the staff team in March 2021.

Her principal James Hogan told Virgin Media News that the school community was "devastated and numb".

He paid tribute to her as a "fantastic, beautiful, an extraordinary sportsperson, Irish musician, choral conductor and an inspiration".

He said she was referred to as the "shining light" whose face lit up the room when she came into it and said the school was working to support staff and students.

Ms Murphy's death has also shocked the world of Irish traditional music, according to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Gathering of Musicians of Ireland).

"Ashling was among the finest exponents of the concertina and fiddle and was also learning the uilleann pipes," the group said in a statement.

"She was an exceptionally talented young lady who made an unforgettable impression on all who had the good fortune to know her."

It said she had been a member of the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland since 2017 and performed with them during visit of Pope Francis to Ireland in 2018.

Tributes have also been paid by her former teachers in her home town of Tullamore and by staff at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick, from where she graduated very recently.

"The entire MIC community is heartbroken and shocked to the core to hear of the tragic and senseless killing of Ashling Murphy who graduated from MIC only three months ago," said its president Eugene Wall.

"Our heartfelt sympathy go out to her family, friends, colleagues and pupils. RIP Ashling.

Ms Murphy was attacked between Boland Lough and Digby's bridge on the canal bank.

According to RTÉ News she was exercising in the area when she was assaulted and the suspect fled when two women came across the attack.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the "entire country is devastated and shocked by the violent and barbaric killing".

"There is no place in our society for violence, particularly violence against women. It cannot and will not be tolerated," he added.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee described Ms Murphy's murder as a "truly shocking crime".

Ms McEntee urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said the attack was an "appalling tragedy" and it offered its condolences to Ms Murphy's family and friends.

"For such an appalling tragedy to befall a young woman, who only recently began her teaching career, adds to the profound sense of loss and grief felt," it said.