Ashling Murphy: 'Significant progress' made in murder investigation

Ashling Murphy was a teacher and talented folk musician

Officers investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy have renewed their appeal for information and said "significant progress" was being made.

The 23-year-old was found dead after going for a run beside the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly, last week.

Her funeral mass took place at St Brigid's Church in Mount Bolus on Tuesday.

Police have released the description of a man they want to speak to in relation to her murder.

It comes as gardaí (Irish police) identified a new person of interest, who is believed to be in hospital.

He is receiving treatment and officers are waiting to speak to him.

Social media warning

Gardaí want anyone who saw a man dressed in a black tracksuit top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side and black trainers to come forward.

Officers have asked members of the public whether they saw this man walking in Tullamore or if they gave the man a lift last Wednesday evening.

The public has also been asked if they noticed him loitering at any location or involved in any activity which drew their attention.

• 'Only something powerful can come out of this'

• 'What happened to her could have happened to me'

• Ashling Murphy murder: Police give press briefing

Gardaí have said they believe the development of DNA profiles will form an integral part of the search for Ms Murphy's killer.

A complaint from another woman, who said she was followed on the same canal path hours before the murder, is still being investigated.

'To keep the light burning, that's all we can do'

By Jess Black, BBC News NI reporter in Tullamore

Mary Givan lives near the entrance to the Grand Canal and each night she goes to the memorial of flowers and candles which has grown after Ashling Murphy's murder.

The night before the 23-year-old's funeral, Mary brings fresh batteries for the fairy lights and clears spent tea lights.

Her daughter was in the same year as Ashling at school.

"This is a mother's fear now," she said. "If you let your daughters out, they can't go out on their own. We can't either.

"To keep the light burning for her, that's all we can do."

Dave Plunkett walks every day on the canal path and he's here again tonight.

His 83-year-old mother used to enjoy the same walk but after Ashling's death; he doesn't think she'll return.

"It's like Ashling Murphy is every Irish girl. Everyone feels a real connection to her.

"It just feels like nothing is going to be the same again."

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who was on Grand Canal Way on the morning or afternoon of 12 January "between Digby's bridge and Ballycommon" to contact them.

"Whether you think you saw anything or not please contact gardai in Tullamore," its statement added.

"We continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks prior to 4pm on Wednesday and in the previous days and weeks.

"We are now asking for people in Tullamore to think about last Wednesday after 4pm and not to confine their thoughts to the Falcon Storm mountain bike."

Floral tributes laid at the Grand Canal, where primary school teacher Ashling Murphy was found dead

Floral tributes and candles surround a photograph of Ms Murphy at Kilcormac Killoughey GAA Club

Police are also concerned about information shared on social media, particularly private messaging apps and have appealed for people to stop sharing these messages.

"Not only are they misinformed, inaccurate and dangerous, they are unhelpful to the criminal investigation," they said.

"If you have information, which is relevant to this criminal investigation you should contact the investigation team at Tullamore Garda Station with this information."

Ms Murphy was murdered just outside Tullamore, County Offaly

In the days since Ms Murphy's death tens of thousands of people have attended vigils in her memory across Ireland and further afield.

Unions including the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland and Teachers' Union Ireland urged schools and colleges across Ireland to observe a minute's silence at 11:00 on Tuesday.

"We are encouraging schools to fall silent to remember a beloved primary school teacher, taken far too soon, and show our solidarity with her friends, family, colleagues and pupils as Ashling is laid to rest," the unions said.