Man held over Ashling Murphy murder released and 'eliminated from Garda enquiries'

A man who was arrested in relation to the murder of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly has been released.

According to a statement from gardaí, he has been "eliminated from Garda enquiries" and is no longer a suspect.

Earlier today, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that all the resources of An Garda Síochána will be made available to the investigation into the murder.

The 23-year-old died yesterday following an attack on the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur.

This afternoon, gardaí said they were keeping an open mind and have appealed for information about a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks.

Gardaí said that "no stone will be left unturned" in their inquiries. They believe the attack, on a busy recreational route, was random.

At this stage, they said, there is "no information to show that the victim and her killer were known to each other".

The attacker fled after two women came upon the attack. The women were able to give a detailed description of the attacker to gardaí.

An incident room has been set up at Tullamore Garda Station.

Gardaí investigating the incident have appealed for information regarding a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks.

The scene between Digby Bridge and Bolands Lock remained sealed off this afternoon as gardaí continued to gather evidence as part of their investigation.

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Ms Murphy's body was removed from the scene late last night to the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish a cause of death.

This evening, the Garda Commissioner moved to reassure people that such crimes are "relatively rare" and that it is a safe society.

Drew Harris told the officers investigating Ms Murphy's murder that all the resources of An Garda Síochána are available to them.

The Commissioner said that he wanted to reassure people that this was a safe society and crimes like this were rare.

Gardaí in appeal for witnesses

Gardaí investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore have appealed to anyone who was on the Grand Canal Way between 3pm and 5pm and who may have information on the attack to come forward | https://t.co/TChwP6boyY pic.twitter.com/UDmpKidPIX

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 13, 2022

Detectives believe people were in the area at the time of the attack, some of whom may have witnessed the crime.

They say it is vital that these people or anyone with any information comes forward.

In a media briefing this morning, gardaí appealed to anyone who was on the Grand Canal Way in Tullamore yesterday between 3pm and 5pm to contact them.

Superintendent Eamon Curley said gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone "behaving unusually" in the area to come forward.

"Any information you have, however insignificant you feel it may be, we need to hear from you."

Information received from the public to date has assisted gardaí in reaching the current stage of the investigation, Supt Curley added.

Over 50 gardaí have been assigned to the investigation and personnel from national specialist units, including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Superintendent Eamon Curley said: "No stone will be left unturned in bringing the perpetrator of this crime to justice."

Shock in Tullamore at murder of young woman

The sense of shock in Tullamore and the midlands is palpable following the murder.

After finishing teaching for the day, Ms Murphy had been out exercising, something she did regularly, on a route known as Fiona's Way - in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender.

A traditional musician from a musical family, Ms Murphy was well-known in the midlands and in music circles all over the country.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said what happened in Tullamore was every woman and every family's "worst nightmare".

Every effort is being made and will be made to ensure that justice is done, she added.

The minister spoke to the Garda Commissioner this morning and said that gardaí will be given the support they need. She appealed for people with any information to come forward.

Minister McEntee added: "We need to make sure it's not just women taking actions to feel safe - that it's men and women."

'I know that people are feeling shocked, but also angry, and I share that anger'. Minister for Justice @HMcEntee says 'everything will be done' to ensure that whoever is responsible for the murder of Ashling Murphy 'will face the full rigours of the law' | https://t.co/pW0Cce1FDE pic.twitter.com/gM1l9YFAPv

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 13, 2022

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Ms McEntee said that society must work towards ensuring "absolute zero tolerance for violence against women".

A new national strategy on violence against women will be published soon, she added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.