The murder of primary school teacher Ashling Murphy has “united the nation in solidarity and revulsion”, Ireland’s prime minister has said.

The 23-year-old was found dead on Wednesday afternoon after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Gardai are continuing the hunt for her killer after a man who was being questioned was released from custody, deemed no longer a suspect.

PM Michael Martin said: “It’s very poignant and a very sad moment in our nation’s affairs when a young talented musician had her life violently taken a few days ago and our hearts and our minds go out to the Murphy family, to her community, to her family and friends, and to particularly the young pupils who no doubt would have been looking forward to Ashling’s presence in the classroom teaching music or sport as well as the broader curriculum.”

His comments came as Ireland’s deputy premier said society has to face up to an “epidemic of violence against women”, with senior politicians promising everything would be done to bring the killer to justice.

Justice minister Helen McEntee tweeted: “Every resource will be provided to An Garda Siochana to find who murdered Ashling Murphy. It is vital that we all support the Gardai in their work.”

She urged anyone with information to contact the police and shared a picture of a bicycle, which police have asked anyone with information about to come forward.

It’s a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks

Every resource will be provided to An Garda Síochána to find who murdered Ashling Murphy. It is vital that we all support the Gardaí in their work. Please anyone with any information, particularly on this Falcon Storm mountain bike, come forward to Gardai. pic.twitter.com/a9Mb0Ojdnp

The murder has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland on Friday and over the coming days.

It has also sparked fresh debate about the safety of women in Ireland, with many asking how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.

The family of Ms Murphy have described Ms Murphy as a “special girl” and a “little angel”.

Man released after questioning

The solicitor of the man who was released told the PA news agency that he has had his “life ruined”.

Donal Farrelly, who represented the man during his two days of questioning, condemned those who had tried to identify him on social media.

Related posts:

EU blocks Oxford vaccine shipment to Australia as shortages row escalates Pope arrives in Iraq for historic first-ever papal trip to nation despite security and COVID fears I would walk 300 miles! Elephants become online stars after napping during epic trek around China Man jailed for slapping President Macron in the face ‘Dystopian hellscape’: Torture, beatings and electric shocks in Xinjiang camps says Amnesty Growing calls to scrap foreign aid cuts as philanthropists step in to replace shortfall Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to a year of house arrest after illegally financing re-election bid Departing German leader Merkel looks forward to leisure time without political distractions ‘COP26 must be a turning point’: Record sea level rise and past seven years to be warmest ever, UN report finds ‘We didn’t deface the Eiffel Tower’: Australia responds after Macron accuses Morrison of lying over submarine deal Five million people have now died from COVID across globe Oil vessel explodes off coast of Nigeria