A Killarney priest in New York led vigils in memory of Ashling Murphy, the 23-year-old teacher who was senselessly murdered in Tullamore, last week.

WORDS: Sean Moriarty Photos: Marie Carroll O'Sullivan

CANDLELIGHT: Killarney Race Course for the candle lit vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy n were L-R Amanda O'Shea Ann Carroll Nessa O'Connor Oisin O'Connor Eileen O'Carroll Alice O'Shea and Rian O'Connor.

DISTANCE: Killarney keeping a safe distance but united in supporting the 4pm vigil in rememberance of Ashling Murphy on Friday last.

FAMILY:Three generations of O'Connor ladies L-R Lorraine Kaysey AND Joan pictured at Killarney Race Course supportimg the candle lit vigil in memory of Ashling MurphY on Friday night.

FRIENDS:Elaine Flannigan Amy McLaughlin and Kate Doran at Friday evening's vigil

GENERATIONS:Grandmother and grandaughter Anne and Iris Looney pictured at the candle lit vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER: Lara and Geraldine O'Neill pictured at Killarney Race Course supporting the candle lit vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy on Friday last

ORGANISERS: Organisers Vera O'Leary (left) Kerry Rape Crisis Centre & Lily McMonagle (right) thank the public for their support at such short notice

SPEAKING OUT: Organiser Lily McMonagle speaks out in raising awareness highlighting violence against women is not ok

SUPPORT:Lisa Barton pictured at Killarney Race Course for the candle lit vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy

Fr Brendan Fitzgerald, the pastor of St. Barnabas Church in The Bronx, led the vigil at the Ashling Irish Centre on McClean Avenue.
“The gathering, more than 3,100 miles away from the scene of the unimaginable crime, is a small example of the shockwaves that Murphy's death has sent through the global Irish community,” said the New York-based Irish community on-line news agency IrishCentral.com.

Closer to home hundreds more gathered at Killarney Racecourse on Friday night to pray for the young woman and her family.
Cllr Marie Moloney, the Mayor of Killarney of Killarney led local tributes.

The Killarney vigil was organised by Vera O'Leary of the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre and Lily McMonagle who thanked the public for their support at such short notice.

MAYOR MOLONEY

“At the outset, I wish to convey my sincere and genuine sympathy to the family, friends, work colleagues and pupils of the late Ashling Murphy," said the Mayor.

“I was with great shock and horror that I learned of the brutal and untimely death of Ashling.

“A young innocent woman who was simply going for a jog in broad daylight. I have attended a vigil and seen the many vigils from all over this country, attend by both women and men, which indicates the abhorrence that all feel about the brutal and cold murder of this young woman and indeed the level of fear that women, in particular, live with.”

Mayor Moloney warned of a greater societal issue where woman cannot feel safe if they are out walking alone – the fact the Miss Murphy was murdered in broad daylight adds to the widespread shock people are feeling.

“It is very easy for people to say that women should not go out on their own, but in real life this is not always possible. Women have to fit things in around their busy lives and it can necessitate walking to work or to catch a bus or train early in the morning or home in the evening, or going for a jog or run when time allows and it is not always feasible that they have someone to accompany them,” she added.
“No woman, nor indeed men, but predominantly women, should have to live in fear, not to have to keep looking over their shoulder every time they are out for a walk or run.”

CHANGE

She called on government action, and change by the courts. Sentencing needs to be strengthened with proper and lengthy confinement for assaults on women and for episodes of Domestic Violence.

“Violence against women must be stopped and I am calling on Government to commit to radical structural reform in the implementation of the 3rd National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV), which is scheduled for publication later this year,” added Mayor Moloney.

“I am also calling for more funding for the Psychiatric services which may alleviate a lot of domestic and public violence.”