Ashling Murphy’s second anniversary marked with tributes and memorial events

The anniversary of the January 2022 murder of Ashling Murphy is being marked in her native Co Offaly with tributes and memorial events.

A Mass remembering and celebrating Ashling’s life was held at St. Brigid’s Church in Mountbolus, Co Offaly on Thursday evening, the day before the second anniversary of the senseless murder.

The Mass, which was attended by hundreds of people, was led by Fr Michael Meade, who also led the the funeral Mass for Ashling in January 2022.

“This is a tragedy which will never end for Ashling’s family. It will be a moment which will go on forever," Fr Meade told the congregation, according to The Irish Times.

“We give thanks for the courage we have all received from Ashling, even though she is no longer with us," Fr Meade further said. "This evening we pray for Ashling whose life was ended in tragedy, and we know that she is now enjoying and living the bliss of eternal life.”

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Ashling Murphy.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Ashling was remembered as a "shining light" by James Hogan, the Principal of Scoil Naomh Colmcille Durrow in Co Offaly where the 23-year-old was a teacher before her death. 

Hogan wrote in part: "Ashling, meaning 'dream' as Gaeilge, describes what was her mission in life.

"She certainly followed her dreams and became a magnificent teacher, talented sportsperson, exceptional musician, and an amazing person."

Durrow National School will hold its own Mass in celebration of Ashling's life on Friday at St. Colmcille's Church in Durrow.

Ashling was also remembered during the January monthly meeting of Tullamore Municipal District.

Offaly Express reported that Councillor Sean O'Brien said during the meeting: ''[Ashling's murder] affected us all countrywide and internationally. The great dignity of the family at her sad passing and at the recent trial as well. They set a great example for the whole country. I want to wish them personal condolences."

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Ashling Murphy.

On Friday afternoon, the second anniversary of Ashling's murder, a commemorative walk will be held, traveling from Digby Bridge, Capincurr Carpark to Ashling's Memorial Shrine at Grand Canal in Tullamore.

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund invited all to join the walk to "remember our beloved Ashling."

The murder of Ashling Murphy

Ashling Murphy, 23, was murdered while she was out for a jog along the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly at around 4 pm on January 12, 2022.

The shocking incident sent shockwaves not only through Ireland but also through the global Irish community.

Jozef Puska, with an address listed as Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, was arrested on January 18, 2022, and was charged on the following day, the day of Ashling's funeral in Co Offaly.

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Jozef Puska in handcuffs. (RollingNews.ie)

Puska was accused of stabbing Ashling 11 times in the neck as she jogged along a stretch of the Grand Canal near Tullamore in Co Offaly in broad daylight. He pleaded not guilty and claimed he had been trying to help the schoolteacher after she had been stabbed by another man.

After a jury found him guilty on November 9, 2023, Puska received a life sentence on November 17, 2023.

In December 2023, five people known to Puska were told they will face trial for obstruction charges relating to the investigation into the 2022 murder.

Last Sunday, days before his daughter's second anniversary, Ashling’s father Raymond Murphy told The Times: “Of course we will go to the canal [next Friday] … It’s still painful, very painful for me and Kathleen, Cathal, Amy, and Ryan.

“What she did in her short 23 years — had she lived, what would she have done in another 23 years?”