Ashling Murphy: when was murdered teacher’s funeral, where in Ireland did it take place, and who attended?

The funeral of a murdered primary school teacher and musician killed while out jogging has been held in Ireland - hours before police made an arrest.

The body of the 23-year-old Ashling Murphy was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, on 12 January.

Her death has intensified debate around women’s safety and prompted calls for more to be done to tackle gender-based violence.

Tens of thousands of people have also attended vigils in recent days to honour Ms Murphy.

So, where did Ashling’s funeral take place and who has been arrested? Here’s what we know.

When and where is Ashling’s funeral being held?

Huge crowds gathered for the funeral of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy in the village of Mountbolus, in County Offaly, on 18 January.

They also stood outside St Brigid’s Church where Ms Murphy’s funeral mass was held - as the service was live streamed.

Children outside the church held photographs of Ms Murphy and roses. The message next to Ms Murphy’s image read: “Fly high in the sky, our shining light.”

Screens were set up in Killoughey community centre and Kilcormac/Killoughey GAA pitch to cater for large crowds at the funeral.

Who was in attendance?

Ms Murphy’s parents Raymond and Kathleen, and siblings Amy and Cathal and her boyfriend Ryan were among the chief mourners at the parish church of Saint Brigid.

Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin were also in attendance along with representatives from Ms Murphy’s local Gaelic football club as well as from her old school.

Schoolchildren provided a guard of honour outside the church prior to the funeral. A number of children also held fiddles and tin whistles.

Ashling’s sister, Amy Murphy, described her sibling as the “light of our lives and the heart of our family”, on social media.

She asked musicians attending the funeral to bring their instrument and play music at the town’s lower cemetery after the funeral.

Teacher unions urged schools across Ireland to observe a minute of silence in her memory.

What has been said during the funeral service?

Bishop Deenihan told mourners that Ms Murphy’s murder has questioned attitudes, particularly attitudes towards women, and “our values and morality”.

“Whether those questions will be addressed or passed over remains to be seen but we cannot allow such violence and disregard for both human life and bodily integrity take root in our time and culture,” he added.

“The past few days have been a nightmare. A walk on a mild and sunny afternoon in January should be a happy event, promising the brighter and warmer days of spring and summer.”

He added: “We all know that no individual should die like Ashling and no family should suffer like Ashling’s.

“Respect is an old-fashioned word but it is an important one. Respect was missing last Wednesday but it has re-emerged here all the stronger.

“Let us respect each other.”

Has there been any developments in the murder case? 

Irish police arrested a man on suspicion of murder on 18 January - hours after the teacher’s funeral.

The man, in his 30s, is being questioned at Tullamore garda station in Co Offaly.

The arrest comes after police renewed an appeal for information, saying “significant progress” had been made their investigation.

Police released a description of a man they want to speak to in relation to the teacher’s death.

They asked anyone who saw a man dressed in a black tracksuit top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side and black runners to come forward.

Officers have asked members of the public whether they saw this man walking in the Tullamore area, or if they gave the man a lift last Wednesday evening.

The public has also been asked if they noticed the man loitering at any location or “involved in any activity which drew your attention”.

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