Ireland

Ashling Murphy’s alma mater to hold vigil as students return to campus

Mayor of Limerick to speak at candlelit vigil at Mary Immaculate College on Monday

Thousands of people have gathered for vigils across Ireland to remember Ashling Murphy. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

Jade Wilson
Sun Jan 23 2022 - 12:51

The college Ashling Murphy graduated from four months ago will hold a vigil on Monday to remember the 23-year-old schoolteacher as students return to campus.

Ms Murphy was fatally attacked while out running on the Grand Canal near Cappincur, Tullamore, in Co Offaly more than a week ago.

She was a teacher at Durrow National School and a talented musician and camogie player. She was remembered as a kind, talented, admired and loved young woman at her funeral Mass earlier this week.

Ms Murphy studied at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick and graduated from the Bachelor of Education programme in October 2021.

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The college has planned a candlelit vigil in her memory on Monday, January 24th, at 6pm on the main pitch on campus.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris and Mayor of Limerick Daniel Butler will give contributions at the vigil, alongside staff and students. The event is also open to the general public.

A table of remembrance and a book of condolences has also been set up in the college’s main reception in honour of Ms Murphy.

Róisín Burke, president of MIC Students’ Union, said she was “deeply saddened by the senseless and tragic death of Ashling”.

“She was loved by so many during her time in MIC and although she had graduated, she was still a member of our community,” Ms Burke said.

Prof Eugene Wall, president of MIC, said it was with "profound sadness and shock" that the college community learned of Ms Murphy's death.

“Ashling, a talented musician and performer, had just commenced her teaching career when her young and promising life was cruelly snatched away from her,” he said.

Thousands of people gathered for vigils across Ireland to remember Ms Murphy in the days following her murder. Events also took place abroad in London, Edinburgh, New York, Dubai and Brisbane.

A man was remanded in custody charged with her murder on Wednesday.

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