Ashling Murphy Memorial Day embodied her community spirit

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Day, held in the Bridge Centre in Tullamore on Saturday, December 6, was filled with everything Ashling embodied, including music, fun, and community spirit.

On the day a number of donations were made to local schools. Among these were St Broghan's NS in Bracknagh, which received a donation of €4,000 to develop a sensory garden, St. Anne’s NS in Tyrrellspass received €2,000 towards the purchase of musical instruments, Tullamore Tradfest received €5,000, and St. Joseph's NS in Tullamore received €5,000 to go towards the schools BUSS programme which aims to support children's sensory systems

Ashling was a dedicated múinteoir bunscoile with a deep grá for the Irish language, and worked passionately to inspire her pupils and those around her to cherish and use our native tongue.

During the memorial event, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund launched the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Gaeltacht Scholarships, in partnership with Coláiste Chamuis, Galway, continuing Ashling’s wish to encourage the use of the Irish language among young people.

A raffle was also hosted during the event, with over 50 prizes being won by those in attendance.

Meanwhile, a volunteer court support service has thanked the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund for a donation of €10,000 to assist its work in supporting victims, witnesses, and families navigating the Irish criminal court system.

Victim Support at Court (V-SAC), who supported the Murphy family during the trials and sentencing in 2023 and earlier this year, said the gift will ensure that families and victims across Ireland “can continue to receive the same care and support.”

V-SAC provides trained volunteers to offer free, confidential emotional support and practical guidance to victims, witnesses, and families navigating the Irish criminal court system, helping them understand proceedings, familiarise themselves with courtrooms, and cope with the stress of the process through accompaniment and empathetic presence.

They also offer pre-trial court visits and act as a calm, supportive presence during hearings, ensuring people don't feel alone during difficult legal stages.

The memorial fund said it was “honoured to support the extraordinary voluntary service” provided by Victim Support at Court in Ashling's memory.

They added that the donation was made to show their “sincere appreciation” for the vital service provided by their incredible volunteers, and also to support other families facing “the traumatic realities of the court process.”

In a moving message posted on social media,the late Ashling Murphy's family and friends said they would be “forever grateful” for the support and kindness they received from V-SAC during the most difficult period in their lives.

“At a time when we felt incredibly vulnerable, the service offered us privacy, protection and steady guidance throughout the judicial process” the said “the work carried out each day by this dedicated team is nothing short of a vocation and it is remarkable to think that it is provided entirely on a voluntary basis.”

Following the establishment of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund after the murder of the 23-year old teacher and gifted traditional musician, the Murphy family said the fund was “proud” to make a donation to V-SAC to “further enhance the services and facilities” within the service, and also as a gesture of appreciation for the “exceptional support” they received.

“We will always remain profoundly grateful for everything they have done for us,” they added.