Man held over murder of primary school teacher ‘no longer a suspect’

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A man arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a young woman in Ireland while she was out for an afternoon jog has been released and is “no longer a suspect”.

Primary school teacher Ashling Murphy, 23, from Tullamore, County Offaly, died after being attacked while running along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday.

Image: Ashling Murphy died after being attacked while running along the canal bank at Cappincur

Gardai have again appealed for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a “Falcon Storm mountain bike” with “straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks” to come forward.

In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: “The male who was arrested and detained by An Garda Siochana investigating this fatal assault has now been released from this detention.

“This male has been eliminated from Garda inquiries and is no longer a suspect.”

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Earlier, the Irish police force promised to leave “no stone unturned” in bringing Ms Murphy’s killer to justice.

Several hundred people attended a vigil in memory of Ms Murphy in Galway on Thursday night.

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Many in the crowd brought flowers and candles to the vigil.

Senior Irish politicians promised that justice would be delivered for Ms Murphy’s family and condemned violence against women.

Image: Ashling’s murder has shocked Ireland

Irish premier Micheal Martin said the teacher “represented the best of modern Ireland”.

“The entire country is devastated and shocked by the violent and barbaric killing of Ashling Murphy, a young woman in the prime of her life,” he said.

“There is no place in our society for violence, particularly violence against women. It cannot and will not be tolerated.

“The safety and security of women is at the core of our society’s values.”

Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them.