Today marks one year since the tragic death of Ashling Murphy in Co Offaly.
The 23-year-old school teacher was killed while going for a run along the Grand Canal at Tullamore.
Her family and friends will attend an anniversary mass this evening in St Brigid’s Church in Mountbolus to mark the anniversary.
Durrow National School, where she taught, will also remember Ashling with a special school anniversary mass that will be led by the pupils and staff.
Tom Finnerty, from Tullamore Men's Shed, helped build a memorial that now sits along the canal where Ashling was attacked.
"I was talking to Ray Murphy. I would've been friendly with Ray for years and years, and I asked if there was anything we could do.
"He said, Tom, you made a few benches from me a couple of years ago, and they were lovely. He said, would you make me a bench? We took it out to the area where the memorial for Ashling is.
"It's actually an emotional visit when you go there for the first time", he said.
The staff and pupils of Durrow N.S remember "Our Shining Light," Ms. Ashling Murphy, on her first anniversary today. Please light a candle to keep her light shining. Missed so much, by all in our school. 💔💔🎻💔💔 pic.twitter.com/0Mh6FZtN01
— Scoil Cholmcille (@DurrowNS) January 12, 2023
A memorial fund set up in her honour and supported by her family was officially launched last week.
The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund committee, says the family was “continuing to grieve the heavy loss of Ashling every day”.
