Ashling Murphy’s boyfriend in touching tribute as family emotionally retrace final steps 4 years on from horror murder

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund has given €150,000 out to various agencies
ASHLING Murphy’s boyfriend paid an emotional tribute to his love today on the fourth anniversary of her murder.

Heartbroken Ryan Casey posted online: “One of the hardest things we all have to do in life is to try and turn the page to the next chapter, knowing that someone who meant so much to you won’t be in it.

“You made me the man that I am today, and you will always be my moral compass! Rest in Peace, Ash.”

His tribute came as Ashling’s grieving family retraced her final steps – as a former colleague declared: “She’s always with us in spirit.”

Around 200 relatives and friends gathered at a memorial for the 23-year-old talented schoolteacher along the Grand Canal just outside Tullamore in Co Offaly.

Ashling’s sister Amy, brother Cathal, and her partner Ryan Casey led the short walk from Digby Bridge shortly after 3pm, with dad Ray and mum Kathleen following, as flowers were laid at the shrine before prayers were said in Ashling’s memory.

James Hogan, the principal of Durrow National School, where Ashling taught first class, then spoke on behalf of the family.

He told how they not only wanted to extend their thanks for the support to everyone there, but also across the nation and internationally.

He said: “It’s hard to believe we’re four years on from her tragic loss here, but unfortunately that is life, and we have to remember Ashling for as much as the positives that she brought to her world in her 23 short years.”

He added: “We’re very grateful, and Ashling might not be here, but she’s always with us in spirit, and we’ve all our own little elements of remembering, let it be a robin, a rainbow, or whatever little natural item appears, and she’s always with us, and we will bear that in mind.

“We think of her on this day, four years on from her tragic loss, and she is deeply, deeply missed every day.

“It’s wrong, it is wrong, and it’s not fair.

“But we have to move forward together, and we will, and I acknowledge the family, Ryan, extended family, we still offer our sympathy to you all because you’re a credit.

“You’re so proud of her, and you should be, and I know you are. And she’s very proud of you, and we will support you all the way whenever we need it.”

BRUTAL MURDER

Ashling was attacked and brutally murdered while out for a run along the banks of the Grand Canal just outside Tullamore, Offaly, on January 12, 2022.

Evil Jozef Puska was convicted of her murder in 2023 and caged for life.

Last October, Puska’s wife, his two brothers, and their partners were handed down sentences of 20 to 30 months for withholding information and destroying evidence in the aftermath of Ashling’s death.

But Ashling’s grieving family are determined to keep her memory and legacy alive.

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund has given €150,000 out to various agencies, including individual clubs, sporting teams, schools, and Comhaltas branches, which promote Irish music.

Mr Hogan said: “We’re delighted to be able to support and keep that going. And there’s many a young person out there today who are going to be grateful to the fund for helping them to develop their skills in the areas of fields that they would have.

“So we are very much alive with the fund and keeping her memory alive too, and we ask you all to keep doing that because it does help, it does help, every little helps.”

‘WANT TO THANK EVERYONE’

At the spot where she died, a portrait was laid with a cross on the paving and a bench, which was made by the local men’s shed, which was created within the first year of her passing.

Mr Hogan said: “The family in particular want to thank everyone, but all the locals who keep this shrine here so looking beautiful and it’s well maintained all year round, and it’s a credit to them.

“Again, to everyone that has visited over the last few years since she passed, to date it all does help.”

It’s hard to believe we’re four years on from her tragic loss here, but unfortunately that is life, and we have to remember Ashling for as much as the positives that she brought to her world in her 23 short years.”James Hogan, on behalf of the family

Mr Hogan invited those who brought instruments to the walk to step forward.

He added: “Ashling loved music, particularly traditional music, so it’s fitting that we will play a few tunes here at her shrine again this year.”

MUSICAL MEMORIAL

Ashling’s dad took to the mandolin as Ashling’s sister Amy also played along with others on various instruments, including ‘The Trip to Durrow.’

Depraved Puska, who is originally from Slovakia, arrived in Ireland in 2013, and there was no connection between him and Ashling, with her murder being random.

A jury found the thug – who concocted a bogus defence – guilty of murder following a trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Evidence which was crucial in the case included his own confession, his DNA being under the victim’s nails after she fought for her life, CCTV, and witnesses who placed the beast at the scene.