The funeral of Ashling Murphy, 23, a primary school teacher who was attacked and killed on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore while out jogging last Wednesday, will be held later today in Co Offaly.
A post-mortem examination of Murphy in Ireland revealed that she was strangled to death.
Her death revived debate about women’s safety around the world and sparked calls to do more to address domestic and gender-based violence.
Tens of thousands of people have also attended vigils in recent days to honor the young master.
The Irish National Police Service, also known as the Gardaí, is currently investigating his murder and has renewed its request for information, saying “significant progress” has been made in the murder investigation.
Last Thursday, a 40-year-old man was released from Garda custody and stated that he was no longer a suspect in the case.
The man had been arrested an hour after the discovery of Ashling Murphy’s body.
He had been interrogated for seven hours on Wednesday night before resting overnight.
Local media report that the man consistently denied any involvement in the murder during interrogations.
Detectives continued to interview witnesses and collect forensic evidence, including DNA, and as a result of their investigations, they discovered late Thursday that the man could not have been involved in the murder.
On Monday, Gardaí posted the description of a man they want to speak to in connection with Murphy’s murder.
The Irish National Police have asked anyone who saw a man dressed in a black tracksuit top without a hood, black sweatpants with a large white stripe or white writing on the side, and black trainers to come forward.
Officers have asked the public if they saw this man walking in the Tullamore area, or if he was taken away on the night of January 12.
The public was also asked if they noticed him loitering anywhere or “engaged in any activity that caught their attention.”
Police said “significant progress” has been made, but could not confirm any specific details for operational reasons.
The statement also called for “any member of the public who happened to be on the Grand Canal Way on the morning or afternoon of January 12 between Digby Bridge and Ballycommon to contact the investigation team.”
The Gardaí said in a statement: “We are now asking any member of the public who was on the Grand Canal Way on the morning or afternoon of 12 January between Digby and Ballycommon Bridge to contact the investigation team.
“An Garda Síochána continues to request information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks before 4pm on Wednesday the 12th and in the days/weeks before.”
Any member of the public “with any form of video footage (Dashcam, CCTV, mobile phone, GoPro Cam, etc.)” in the general Tullamore area last Wednesday is also asked to contact police.
Meanwhile, officers called on people to stop sharing information on social media on Monday, particularly on private messaging apps, following concerns this could disrupt the investigation.
Murphy taught first class at Durrow National School. He left school after work on January 12 and went for a workout along the banks of the canal at Cappincur in Tullamore.
She was attacked and killed within an hour and died by strangulation.
Members of the public continued to bring floral tributes and messages to the channel in recent days.
His funeral will take place on Tuesday at St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus at 11am. His family has requested privacy in their family home before the funeral mass.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism