Country united in revulsion at 'unconscionable' killing of Ashling Murphy, says Taoiseach

A man lays flowers with other floral tributes left near to the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly, where Aisling Murphy was murdered on Wednesday evening. Picture: Damien Eagers/PA Wire

The "unconscionable" killing of Ashling Murphy has united the country in revulsion, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin, who spoke to Ms Murphy's family yesterday, said the teachers have always been the "bedrock" of our society and the 23-year-old "represented and personified" this.

"Our hearts and our minds go to the Murphy family, to her community, to her family and friends and in particular young pupils who no doubt would have been looking forward to Ashling's presence in the classroom teaching music and sport, as well as the broader curriculum.

"I've always been of the view that the national school teacher, from the beginning of the State, has been the bedrock upon which our society was built on. And in many ways Ashling Murphy represented and personified the very best of that tradition of national teaching," he said.

Mr Martin said it is a "concern" that the person who murdered Ashling may still be at large, but promised that no stone would be left unturned in the investigation.

“That is of concern, of course, to the people of Tullamore and to the people generally across the country.

Micheál Martin said the teachers have always been the "bedrock" of our society and the 23-year-old "represented and personified" this.

Mr Martin said he had spoken with Justice Minister Helen McEntee this morning.

"The gardaí are doing everything they possibly can and (using) all of their resources to protect people and to make sure people are safe, but also to find the person responsible for this and to bring that person to justice. I can say that without hesitation, every effort will be made to bring the person to justice and to keep people safe in the intervening period.” Mr Martin said he had a "private conversation" with Ms Murphy's family yesterday.

"I just wanted, like everybody across the country, on behalf of people to express our solidarity with them, and our devastation at the fact that a beautiful young woman has been taken from their lives.

"It's just unconscionable, it's something I think that has united the people of this country in revulsion against it, and it's very, very sad for them - to take a young woman through life, coming out of a teaching training college, back in her home location teaching in a national school doing what she loves best. It's very, very devastating for the family and for the wider community, I think for all of us in the country."

He added: "Obviously the family is very devastated and I don't want to say any more than that."

'These things are just happening too frequently'

The Tánaiste says there is "an epidemic of violence against women" in light of the murder of Ashling Murphy.

Leo Varadkar said on Friday that although the government would lead, there must be a conversation in wider society about how we raise young men.

"We as a society, need to face up to this. There is an epidemic of violence against women. It's been going on for millennia, quite frankly," he said.

"Men and boys I think in particular, have a responsibility to start to have that conversation among ourselves about the kinds of factors the kinds of attitudes that give rise to the view to feelings that engender men to commit acts of violence against women.

"I am devastated by the events that happened. I would hope that by shining a light on gender-based violence might help us to have this discussion society.

"It's a year since a woman from Mongolia (Urantsetseg Tserendorj) was killed by a 15-year-old boy just going about her business in Dublin.

"These things are just happening too frequently.

"I think as a society we've responsibility as well and particularly men and boys and teenagers."

Leo Varadkar said on Friday that although the government would lead, there must be a conversation in wider society about how we raise young men.

Gender-based violence is something that "men and women alike need to combat together," Mr Varadkar added.

"I think for men, in particular, we need to make sure that we understand and that we teach our boys that violence against women is never justified. Doesn't matter who she is, doesn't matter where it was. Doesn't matter what time of day it is. It's never justified. It's always wrong."

"There is a culture in our society. That creates the conditions in which violence against women happens that happens too frequently, not just in public places, but also in people's homes and workplaces and we as men have a particular responsibility in that regard to understand the factors that give rise to attitudes of violence against women, and in particular to teach our boys and teach our teenagers about what's right and wrong."

The Tánaiste added that as a government, tackling gender-based violence and domestic violence has been a priority for "quite some time".

When it was put to Mr Varadkar that the details of the man initially questioned over the murder had been leaked on social media, he said any potential leaks should be investigated.

"If it was a wrongful arrest, and if it is the case that his information was leaked, well, then that is serious and, and obviously there's a mechanism by which that can be investigated either by the Gardai or GSOC."

Gardaí investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy have renewed their appeal for information after a man questioned in connection with the crime was released.

Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old primary school teacher, was attacked and killed on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly on Wednesday afternoon.

Gardaí said they are particularly interested in knowing more about a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/ green front forks.