Hundreds attend Newry Vigil in support of murdered school teacher

Hundreds attended a candle lit vigil this afternoon in Marcus Square, Newry in a very visible community outpouring of outrage at the murder of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy from Tullamore.

Ashling was murdered on the Grand Canal towpath close to the County Offaly town on Wednesday 12 January.

The event, organised by MLA Liz Kimmins who stressed that women need to be able to go about their lives without being told that we were asking for it, without being assaulted or verbally abused or being followed home. Without the need to carry a rape alarm or being told to stay in well lit places, without having to cross to the other side of the street, or fake phone calls, or without having to text friends to let them know we are home safe or to make sure that our friends are safe.

The Newry and Armagh MLA said "Women are not responsible for the violence or the threat of violence against them and thats a message we need to send here today. Gender based violence has a devastating impact on the lives of thousands of women and children right across Ireland, right across the world every single year."

"So its upon each and every one of us that we eliminate the scourge of misogyny, violence and abuse. Tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls must be a priority for us all and if we truly want the gender equality that we talk about we must work to ensure that it happens and we need a strategy to eliminate violence against women and girls and we need that now."

Kimmins pointed out that the Assembly has launched a consultation on the matter. "Coincidentlally this week the Assembly has launched a public consultation that's developing a strategy against violence against women and girls and it's just so sad and harrowing to see the real- lived experiences of girls in our own country here in Ireland. I would really encourage everyone if you can to fill that consultation in because it's the real-lived experiences that we all know and we see every day" said Kimmins.

Take part in the consultation here NIDIRECT.GOV.UK

"It's very poignant that vigils are being held right across Ireland and further afield to send a strong message to society and most importantly to the family and friends of Ashling Murphy at this very very sad time."

Books of Condolence

Several books of Condolences have been opened in memory of Ashling Murphy.

The Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Cllr Cathy Mason has opened an Online Book of Condolence for the residents of Newry, Mourne and Down district to extend their sympathies to the family of Ashling Murphy who tragically lost her life in Tullamore on Wednesday. 

Councillor Mason said, “As Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council  I will be lighting up Down Leisure Centre and Newry Town Hall white from 4pm in memory of Ashling.  Her death is a senseless killing and on behalf of residents in the district I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to her parents, family and friends on their immeasurable loss.”

To extend your sympathies to the family of Ashling Murphy and to show your support against gender-based violence please sign the online book of condolence.

The Council's Book of Condolence is available to sign at: WWW.NEWRYMOURNEDOWN.ORG

 All messages in the online book will be recorded by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and sent to Ashling’s family. 

 The Book of Condolence will close for digital signatures on Monday 24 January at 5pm.

An online condolence book has also been opened by The Active Runner Online Magazine based in Warrenpoint for fellow runners to leave a message for the family and friends of young Ashling Murphy who was attacked and killed on the banks of the Grand Canal outside Tullamore, County Offaly, on Wednesday afternoon while out for her run.

 As a running community, we are shocked and saddened that a young lady of 23 years of age went for a run and was attacked in this way in the middle of the day on a very active route and never made it home. 

The condolence book so far has seen many runners write a message from the many running clubs and groups of the Irish running community that are all shell shocked with this sad news. 

You can write your own message at WWW.ACTIVERUNNERMAG.COM