Runners across the island of Ireland have stopped to remember Ashling Murphy whose murder has shocked the nation.

Irish police are continuing to hunt for the killer of the 23-year-old primary school teacher, who was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The Garda said it had made “significant progress” in its investigation but were not releasing details for operational reasons.

It is understood investigators have identified a new person of interest, who is currently in hospital, and are waiting to speak to him.

Park Run participants in the Republic and Northern Ireland stood in silence on Saturday morning in memory of Ms Murphy.

Vigils planned over the weekend

Hundreds of people also gathered in Cork for a vigil, with more planned in towns and villages during the weekend.

Ashling Murphy: Murder of young school teacher has ‘united the nation in solidarity and revulsion’, Irish leader says

A vigil is also planned in London.

Ireland’s deputy prime minister Leo Varadkar said: “For men, we need to understand, and to teach our boys, that violence against women is never justified.

“It doesn’t matter who she is, where she was, what she was doing and it doesn’t matter what time of the day it is. It’s never justified. It’s always wrong.”

Show of solidarity

The show of solidarity came after thousands of people gathered on Friday in a united show of grief and revulsion at the murder, which has been described as a “watershed moment” in the campaign to end violence against women.

Ms Murphy’s family attended a candlelit vigil near the murder scene on Friday evening.

At the event, her father Ray Murphy paid a poignant tribute to the talented young musician by performing her favourite song on the banjo.

He broke down in tears while playing the final chords of When You Were Sweet Sixteen.

Mr Murphy, along with his wife Kathleen and daughter Amy, walked on the opposite side of the canal to where his daughter was killed on Wednesday.

Murder sparks fresh debate about violence against women

Politicians have promised that all resources necessary will be provided to the police to find the killer.

The death of Ms Murphy has sparked a renewed debate about the safety of women in Ireland, with many asking how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.

Related posts:

Blood clot victim’s sister ‘very angry’ but says everyone should have Oxford jab ‘Significant milestone’ as Morrisons widens plastic bag ban to include ‘bags for life’ COP26 conference ‘last, best opportunity to get real’ on the climate, says John Kerry Revealed: The areas with the highest and lowest COVID vaccination rates for over-50s Gov says new online safety bill will keep people safe but not everyone is convinced Police helicopter finds missing girl, six, asleep in a field over half a mile from her home Henley Regatta lets women wear trousers for the first time in its 182-year history Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice at buoyant Old Trafford on his second debut for Manchester United On this wall, there is one heart for every Briton who died from COVID. But now, they are starting to fade Will Emma Raducanu be able to stay at the top in tennis for years to come? Geronimo the alpaca ‘killed for nothing’ as post-mortem reveals it did not have TB People ‘don’t misremember abuse by a prince’ – Giuffre lawyer criticises health records request