LEGACY LIVES ON

Ashling Murphy’s heartbroken family open up on ‘difficult year’ & vow she will ‘always be remembered’ after killer caged

The Murphy family shared a new statement on social media today

• Published: 15:06, 2 Jan 2024
• Updated: 15:08, 2 Jan 2024

THE heartbroken family of Ashling Murphy have said they will ensure her legacy lives on after a “significantly difficult year”.

Her loved ones have thanked all those who donated, sent messages of support and fundraised for the 23-year-old schoolteacher as the second anniversary of her killing approaches.

A memorial was launched in memory of Ashling after she was brutally murdered by evil Josef Puska in Tullamore, Co Offaly on January 12 2022.

In a statement posted on social media today, the Murphy family thanked people for their endless support over the last 12 months.

They said: “As the year, 2023, has drawn to a close and a new year begins, we would like to reflect on the year that’s past and look forward to the one to come.

“Although 2023 was a significantly difficult year for the family and friends of Ashling, we are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund.

“We thank all who donated, undertook a fundraiser, promoted the fund, sent messages of support etc. Your support has not gone unnoticed.”

The family vowed that Ashling would always be remembered for the “admirable and inspiring” lady that she was as they admitted they hoped to keep working on ensuring her name lives on.

The post continued: “Ashling touched the hearts and minds of many people worldwide during her short life and even after her tragic departure from us almost two years ago.

“As we anticipate 2024, we want to continue to ensure Ashling’s name and legacy continues to live on everyday.

“Our wish is that Ashling will always be remembered for the truly admirable and inspiring lady she was. We would appreciate your support in continuing this wish.”

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund was set up to fulfil the strong legacy left by Ashling, even in her short life. 

Donations and proceeds from fundraisers “will be utilised to achieve the objectives” of the memorial fund, which are compiled by the Murphy family and committee members and are deemed “close to Ashling’s heart,” her family said.

In a heartbreaking tribute to the wonderful woman on their website, it said: “Ashling Murphy was a beautiful, caring, loving, compassionate and warm-hearted person.

“An amazing daughter to Ray and Kathleen, a wonderful sister to Amy and Cathal, a loving partner to Ryan, and a kind, caring young woman to her extended family, pupils, colleagues and wide circle of friends.

“Ashling was breath-takingly talented, an exceptional musician, talented sportsperson and an inspirational teacher to the many young people she encountered within her 23 years.”

Donations to the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund can be made at idonate.ie or by clicking here.

‘NO CHANCE OF PUSKA GETTING OUT’

Slovakian monster Jozef Puska was caged for life in November after he was convicted of the shocking murder of the talented schoolteacher.

Yesterday, the Irish Sun revealed that Puska, who showed no remorse during his trial for stabbing the 23-year-old 11 times as she jogged near her home in broad daylight, will serve a “Malcolm MacArthur-type sentence”, according to renowned criminologist Prof John O’Keeffe.

He told The Irish Sun: “It can be difficult to gauge how long someone convicted of murder will ultimately serve but this case is a little more straightforward than other cases.

“Now murderers are entitled to apply for parole after 12 years, it used to be seven.

“So it could be said that a murderer could potentially be out after three World Cups but they never are, and there’s certainly no chance of Puska getting out.

“The average life sentence for murder is now 21 years. The longest-serving prisoner in an Irish prison is John Shaw who has been behind bars for 47 and a half years and certainly, there are factors at play with Jozef Puska that will see him no doubt serve up the upper end of the murder conviction scale.”

Puska who initially told Gardai “I am the murderer” took to the witness stand during his trial and claimed he tried to save her after another man had attacked her.

But the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty after deliberating for just two hours.

Judge Tony Hunt told them it was absolutely the correct verdict and that there was “evil in the room” before later jailing him for life.

The judge also said if the option of the whole life order was open to him, like it is to the judiciary in the UK, then he would have considered it.