ASHLING Murphy’s heartbroken family visited the scene of her murder again – and today brought their beloved girl on her final journey home before she is laid to rest on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old teacher’s funeral arrangements were confirmed today, days after she was brutally killed while out for a jog in the Irish town of Tullamore, County Offaly.
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And devastated mum and dad Kathleen and Raymond, along with sister Amy, brother Cathal and boyfriend Ryan Casey told of their heartache, saying Ashling would be “sadly missed”.
She reposed at the family home for several hours today, after her family again visited the scene of her murder at Cappincur.
The family, who had also attended a vigil at the murder scene on the popular canal walkway on Friday, were escorted to the site by gardai, where they spent around 10 minutes.
The first class teacher will repose at home again on Monday before being brought to St Brigid’s Church in Mountbolus for requiem mass at 11am on Tuesday before burial at Lowertown Cemetery in Mountbolus.
Prayers were said for Ashling at masses nationwide this morning as vigils continued at home and abroad.
Huge crowds gathered to light candles and silently pay tribute in Greystones, Birr, Kilkenny, Athlone, Lurgan, Howth, Ballincollig and Sligo.
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Support for Ashling’s family was also shown at vigils as far afield as Barcelona, Brussels, Manchester and Dubai.
Offaly and Antrim hurlers formed letter A on pitch ahead of their Walsh Cup game while the Meath and Westmeath GAA hurling teams retired the number 23 jerseys in Ashling’s honour, as did the Offaly and Clare ladies footballers.
Fr Joe Gallagher of Church of the Assumption in Tullamore told mass-goers: “Life can be so cruel, and we don’t know why.”
Praying for Ashing and her grieving family, Fr Gallagher added: “We cannot even begin to understand their pain and we want to reach out to them and carry them through this awful time.”
Tears and anger at Ashling Murphy vigils in Ireland and worldwide as runners pause in teacher’s memory
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