Ashling, a 23-year-old schoolteacher and musician, was murdered as she exercised on the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur outside Tullamore on January 12, 2022.
Jozef Puska (33) was sentenced to life in prison in November 2023 after being found guilty of her murder.
The commemorative walk to Ashling’s memorial shrine along the banks of the canal will take place this afternoon. The public has been invited to meet at 2.30pm at Fiona Pender’s Monument, which was erected in memory of Fiona Pender, who was 25-years-old when she disappeared in 1996.
Those gathered to pay tribute to Ashling Murphy today will walk along the Tullamore side of the Grand Canal toward her memorial shrine.
Ashling Murphy memorial, Tullamore, Co Offaly (Photo: Gearoid Keegan)
The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, which was set up in her honour to fund projects close to her heart, thanked those who helped to organise the memorial event.
In a tribute shared online today, they said: “Today we remember our beloved Ashling, who is so dearly missed each and every day, especially by her heartbroken family and wide circle of friends. Always loved, never forgotten, forever missed.”
A memorial mass took place in St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus this morning to commemorate the third anniversary of Ashling’s death.
Last week, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund marked two years since it was launched to support the development of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people.
Ashling was a talented musician, sportsperson and teacher, with a number of scholarships and sporting prizes set up in her name since her death.
Jozef Puska
The memorial fund shared a message last week to thank those who have donated to it, or who have organised or donated to one of the many fundraisers held in memory of Ashling.
“Since the launch of the charity, on the 6th of January 2023, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the desire of so many to remember Ashling, regardless of whether they personally knew Ashling or not,” the fund said last week.
“We thank the many individuals and groups who have undertaken fundraisers in Ashling’s memory and in aid of the memorial fund established to continue her strong, exemplary legacy.
“No matter how big or small the fundraiser, we are forever grateful for the generous support of those continuing to hold Ashling and her memory close to them.”
