The funeral of murdered teacher Ashling Murphy is taking place in Co Offaly this morning.
It's being held in Mountbolus at 11 o'clock.
Schools across the country are to observe a minutes silence at 11 o'clock, as the funeral mass gets underway.
Ashling Murphy’s sister, Amy appealing for privacy from media outlets tonight ahead of Ashling’s funeral tomorrow #AshlingMurphy pic.twitter.com/zD8p1dWpHM
— Susan Keogh (@susankeoghnews) January 17, 2022
Large screens have been erected at the local GAA club to cater for the huge crowd of mourners that are expected to pay their respects, while Ashling's family have invited local musicians to play their instruments at the cemetery.
The 23-year-old was killed while running along the Grand Canal, near Tullamore, last Wednesday afternoon.
Gardaí Continue Investigation Into Ashling's Murder
Meanwhile the investigation into Ashling's murder is continuing.
Irish Examiner reporter Liz Dunphy says there are a number of lines of inquiry being pursued.
Yesterday, a bottle bank was removed from a recycling facility situated about 1km from where the murder took place.
Searches of a number of premises in Co Offaly have taken place while vehicles have been seized.
Gardaí are still waiting for a person of interest to be released from hospital.
The man is being treated for non-life threatening stab wounds, which he couldn't satisfactorily explain.
