Mass to mark anniversary of Ashling Murphy's death taking place tonight

A mass will take place this evening to mark the first anniversary of the death of school teacher Ashling Murphy.

Ashling’s first anniversary mass will take place today at 7pm in St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus, Killoughey, Co Offaly – the church where her funeral took place last year.

The 23-year-old died after being attacked in broad daylight while jogging on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore on January 12 last year.

A memorial fund established to honour the Offaly teacher has been receiving hundreds of donations and tributes after being launched one year after her death.

In a statement posted on social media last weekend, the Murphy family thanked people for their endless support over the last 12 months.

"The endless support received from many individuals, groups and organisations that Ashling was strongly a part of during her short 23 years was truly amazing," the post reads.

The popular teacher was a talented musician, dedicated to teaching traditional music as part of her love of Irish culture. The trad group she performed with will play at her mass this evening.

The memorial fund's main objective is "the further enhancement, development and the advancements of The Traditional Irish Arts, Culture and Heritage for young people".

All donations and proceeds from fundraisers will be used to achieve objectives which are "deemed close to Ashling's heart and represent the many interests she had in her 23 years".

"Ashling was fully committed to everything she put her hand to, she was highly motivated and always believed in following her dreams" the statement added. "Ashling's parents, Raymond and Kathleen, are so grateful to everyone who continue to remember Ashling for who she really was by carrying on the great legacies she left behind. Ashling’s name will live on forever," it said.

The Murphy family have appealed for privacy, as they continue to grieve their loss.

Ashling Murphy vigil at the Leinster House, Dublin. Friday 14th of January 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Other groups will mark Ashling’s anniversary today. The Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny will host a vigil to honour her memory and the memory of other women who have died by violence in the last year in Ireland. People attending the event – at 5pm at the Castle Yard, Kilkenny – are asked to bring a candle.

Tullamore Men’s Shed has installed a bench at the memorial site where Ashling was attacked on the banks of the Grand Canal. The site is also marked with with flowers and photographs in her memory.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has established three scholarships, each of €2,000, to recognise and remember her talent and legacy.

Ashling had only graduated from the Mary Immaculate teacher training college in Limerick shortly before her death. The college, in conjunction with the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, jointly launched an entrance scholarship in memory of Ashling last November.

In a post on social media last night, Ashling's partner Ryan Casey paid tribute to his girlfriend, saying he loves and misses her everyday.

"No matter how fast time may pass, there isn't a single second that goes by where my heart doesn’t ache for you," he posted, adding that Ashling is the only reason he gets out of bed every morning.

"Everything I have done and everything that I do is completely for you," he said. "I love and miss you so much Ash. Forever my soulmate."

A man was charged in relation to Ashling Murphy’s death early last year.