James Hogan, Chairman of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund and Principal of Durrow NS, where the late Ashling Murphy was on the teaching staff, is pictured presenting a cheque for €10,000 from the fund to a representative of the voluntary court support service, Victim Support at Court (V-SAC). Also in the picture are members of Ashling's family, including her parents, Ray and Kathleen, her sister Amy and her brother, Cathal.

Ashling Murphy fund donates €10k to court support service

Geraldine Grennan

Published: Tue 9 Dec 2025, 10:52 AM

Last updated: Tue 9 Dec 2025, 10:54 AM

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.