Machibet777 AffiliateTears and anger at Ashling Murphy vigils in Ireland and worldwide as runners pause in teacher's memory | The Sun - Mcb777 Live

RUNNERS across the island of Ireland paused in memory of Ashling Murphy today - as thousands attended vigils at home and abroad.

Park Run runners in the Republic, Northern Ireland and beyond held moments of silence on Saturday morning for Ms Murphy.

Ashling Murphy was attacked as she went for a jog

Mourners gathered at a vigil for Ashling in London today

A tribute for Ashling outside Durrow National School where she taught in Tullamore

Thousands gathered in Cork for a vigil and walk, with more planned in Kilkenny, Athlone, Greystones, Sligo and Birr tomorrow.

Director of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre Mary Crilly said the turnout at the Atlantic Pond near Pairc Ui Chaoimh was phenomenal.

Two walks took place in Ashling’s native Offaly along the Grand Canal in Rhode and Edenderry, while in Smithfield in Dublin, another vigil drew huge numbers.

FAMILY OVERWHELMED BY SUPPORT

And further afield, a huge crowd gathered in London in solidarity with Ashling’s family, who told how they were “appreciative and overwhelmed by the national outpouring of support shown to them” after attending vigils in Tullamore themselves on Friday.

Vigils were also planned for Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Brisbane in Australia.

In London, people held candles and stood in silent tribute outside the London Irish Centre as a large number queued in Camden Square to sign a book of condolence and lay flowers.

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Traditional music was played in honour of Ms Murphy, a talented fiddle player, while some of the crowd quietly sang or hummed along.

Anna Johnston, cultural officer at the London Irish Centre, said people had come together in solidarity with those who knew and loved Ms Murphy “and all the women of Ireland and further afield who are angry, distressed and heartbroken”.

Addressing the crowd, she added: “Today, along with Ashling, we remember all the women who have had their lives stolen through gender-based violence. We shouldn’t be here, and Ashling should be.”

A minute’s silence was held, after which the young teacher’s favourite song, When You Were Sweet Sixteen, was sung.

Her father Ray Murphy had played the tune on the banjo in tribute to his youngest daughter at a vigil on Friday near the scene of her murder.

People hold a vigil outside the London Irish Centre in Camden in memory of the 23-year-old teacherCredit: PA:Press Association

Powerful images from the vigil for Ashling in Mullingar

Last year in London, people gathered in memory of marketing executive Sarah Everard and school teacher Sabina Nessa - two women who were fatally attacked while out walking in the capital.

A small sign near the entrance to the London Irish Centre bore their names and those of other women who have died, under the letters “RIP”.

A steady stream of people laid flowers and candles as darkness fell.

One floral tribute left outside the centre read: “Your beautiful life was stolen by evil. You deserved so much better. May your soul live on in music.”

SEARCHES CARRIED OUT

Meanwhile, cops carried out searches across two counties as part of the investigation into Ashling's murder.

Gardai have identified a new suspect in the case after a man presented himself at a Dublin hospital with facial injuries. He had been living in Tullamore but has relatives in the capital.