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Ashling Murphy: Mourners line the streets for the teacher

18 January 2022

The funeral of primary school teacher Ashling Murphy has taken place in County Offaly in the Republic of Ireland.

Crowds, including schoolchildren holding pictures of Ms Murphy, lined the streets as the cortege made its way to St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus.

Her death has shocked the nation and tens of thousands of people have attended vigils in Ireland and further afield in her honour.

Mourners came out in force to pay their respects to the talented primary school teacher.

PA Media Mourners walk beside the hearse as the cortege arrives at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, Ireland, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy, on 18 January 2022 — Mourners came out in force to pay their respects to the talented primary school teacher.

There has been an outpouring of grief and shock across the island of Ireland since Ms Murphy's death. The 23 year old was killed while out exercising on the towpath of the Grand Canal outside Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon.

Reuters A woman embraces a girl as people arrive for the funeral of 23-year-old teacher, Ashling Murphy, who was murdered while out jogging, by the St Brigid"s Church in Mountbolus near Tullamore, Ireland January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne — There has been an outpouring of grief and shock across the island of Ireland since Ms Murphy's death. The 23 year old was killed while out exercising on the towpath of the Grand Canal outside Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon.

Pupils from Durrow National School form a guard of honour for their beloved teacher.

PA Media Schoolchildren at Ashling Murphy funeral — Pupils from Durrow National School form a guard of honour for their beloved teacher.

Ms Murphy's family, including her sister Amy, were pictured comforting one another.

Charles McQuillan/Getty Ashling's sister Amy being comforted — Ms Murphy's family, including her sister Amy, were pictured comforting one another.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin was among the political dignitaries who came to pay their respects.

PA Media Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrives at St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, Ireland, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy on 18 January 2022 — Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin was among the political dignitaries who came to pay their respects.

Rain did not stop the mourners, including these girls in the colours of Ms Murphy's Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club, where she played camogie.

Charles McQuillan/Getty People line the street for the funeral of Ashling Murphy at St. Brigid’s Church, County Offaly on January 18, 2022 in Tullamore, Ireland. . (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) — Rain did not stop the mourners, including these girls in the colours of Ms Murphy's Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club, where she played camogie.

Other Kilcormac Killoughey camogie teammates provided a sea of colour on a dark day.

PA Media Members from the Kilcormac Killoughey Camogie Club, of which Ashling Murphy was a member, outside St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for her funeral, who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wednesday. 23-year-old Ashling, a primary school teacher and a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022. — Other Kilcormac Killoughey camogie teammates provided a sea of colour on a dark day.

Ms Murphy was a talented fiddle player and her fellow musicians lined the route of the funeral procession and gave her a fitting send-off.

Niall Carson/PA Wire Musicians forming the guard of honour wait outside St Brigid"s Church, Mountbolus, County Offaly, during the funeral of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy who was murdered in Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wednesday. 23-year-old Ashling, a talented musician, was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022. — Ms Murphy was a talented fiddle player and her fellow musicians lined the route of the funeral procession and gave her a fitting send-off.

Before Mass began, Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina hugged Ms Murphy's parents Raymond and Kathleen, her sister Amy, brother Cathal and boyfriend Ryan. The service, which was livestreamed, featured traditional Irish singers and musicians.

BBC Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina offer comfort to the Murphy family — Before Mass began, Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina hugged Ms Murphy's parents Raymond and Kathleen, her sister Amy, brother Cathal and boyfriend Ryan. The service, which was livestreamed, featured traditional Irish singers and musicians.

During the service, mourners were told a "depraved act of violence" which deprived Ms Murphy of her life has united the country in grief and support.

Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne Mother and sister of the late 23-year-old teacher, Ashling Murphy, who was murdered while out jogging, stand outside the St Brigid"s Church in Mountbolus near Tullamore, Ireland January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne — During the service, mourners were told a "depraved act of violence" which deprived Ms Murphy of her life has united the country in grief and support.

Other tributes to Ashling Murphy were held around Ireland - schools held a minute's silence and artist Sean Corcoran created this piece of sand art in Waterford.

Sean Corcoran Sean Corcoran of The Art Hand made this piece of sand art on Kilmurrin Cove in Waterford as a tribute to Ashling Murphy. — Other tributes to Ashling Murphy were held around Ireland - schools held a minute's silence and artist Sean Corcoran created this piece of sand art in Waterford.

All pictures are subject to copyright.

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Republic of Ireland