A VIGIL will be held in Limerick City on Friday evening in memory of murdered Mary Immaculate College student, Ashling Murphy.
Participants are asked to bring a candle to the 6pm vigil at Arthur’s Quay Park and to adhere to health guidelines about masking and social distancing.
One of the vigil organisers, Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan, said that the event is also intended to honour all those who have died in gender-based violence.
Students and staff at Mary Immaculate College who are in shock following the murder are being offered counselling by the college.
As those who knew the 23-year-old primary school teacher, who graduated from the college just three months ago, struggle to come to terms with the apparent random attack, College Chaplin Fr Mike Wall said the whole campus is in shock.
“There would be many students attending here who knew her and, of course, she was well known by the teaching staff.
“She was a very good student and had achieved her dream of graduating and teaching. No one can imagine or come to grips with what has happened.
“We can only offer our prayers and sympathy and any support we can,” he said.
Students are not due to return to campus until January 24 but counselling will be available to those who knew her on campus.
It’s believed the attack which cost Ms Murphy her life while she was jogging on Wednesday along the canal in Tullamore at 4pm, was an unprovoked, random attack.
Gardaí are continuing to question a man in relation to the murder.
