Ashling Murphy's partner in loving tribute to his 'soulmate'

THE grieving partner of Ashling Murphy has paid an emotional tribute to the young woman in advance of her first anniversary Mass this evening.

Ryan Casey's message was shared on the Facebook page of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund on Tuesday evening.

The young man's words are described as as “tribute to his soulmate” and he says: “Time can move at a pace which can be impossible to comprehend but one thing for sure is no matter how fast time may pass, there isn’t a single second that goes by where my heart doesn’t ache for you.”

He continues: “There’s a saying that goes... 'You don’t know what you have until you loose it' …but the reality is, we both knew exactly what we had, exactly what we wanted, it’s just we never thought we’d loose it.

“You are the one who has made me the person I am today, the only reason I get out of bed every morning, the only reason I got through graduation, the only reason I’ve continued on and started my working career. Everything I have done and everything that I do is completely for you.

“I Love and miss you so much Ash... Forever my soulmate.”

Ashling Murphy died after being attacked on the bank of the Grand Canal at Cappincur, Tullamore on the afternoon January 12, 2022.

The 23-year-old from Blueball had gone for a jog after a day's work as a schoolteacher at Durrow National School.

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, set up by the Murphy family and the Ashling Murphy Memorial fund executive committee, was launched on January 6, Nollaig na mBan.

In a statement, the committee said it was fitting to launch the fund “in memory of a beautiful, talented and exceptional young lady, who will forever be 23 and will never be forgotten!”

“Ashling’s tragic loss touched the hearts of many, she left a strong legacy behind her and will always be remembered for the music, sport, education, culture and heritage that she was involved in during her short life,” the committee added.

The fund's main objective is for the further enhancement, development and the advancements of the traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people.

Ashling was an accomplished musician and traditional music tutor.

The anniversary Mass will take place at 7pm this evening (January 12) in the Murphy family's local church in Mountbolus.

The family and partner of Ashling published a notice in the Tullamore Tribune and Midland Tribune this week thanking everyone who had sympathised with them, sent Mass cards, flowers, bouquets and offered their condolences in many ways.