An outpouring of grief and anger at the death of Ashling Murphy helped to boost donations to the Women’s Aid charity by more than €14,000.
The money was raised in the four weeks following 23-year-old Ashling’s death in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12.
In that time, over 35 campaigns were created on GoFundMe for Women’s Aid, which was set up in 1974 to campaign for a stop to violence against women and children.
A spokesperson for the fundraising site said: “More than €14,500 has been raised on GoFundMe for Women’s Aid four weeks after Ashling Murphy’s tragic death.
“In the month after schoolteacher Ashling’s death, dozens of campaigns were set up in her memory.
“Of them, more than 35 campaigns were set up in Ireland to donate to Women’s Aid - the national charity, working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
“Several vigils were held across the country as thousands called for an end to gender-based violence after the talented musician’s death.
“Many GoFundMe campaigns set up in Ashling’s memory saw fundraisers raising money by going for a run, walk or jog as she had.”
Among those to remember Ashling and raise funds for Women’s Aid on GoFundMe were Rebecca Fleming, Lauren McKeon, and Oliver James.
Rebecca Fleming raised more than €800 by helping to organise a 5K run.
She said the run was put together “in memory of Ashling Murphy and as a show of solidarity to all walkers and runners”.
Lauren raised over €335 and now plans to run the Dingle marathon in September, while Oliver raised €2,615 for Women’s Aid with a 5K walk campaign.
Lauren said: “Ashling Murphy is all of us, except we made it home.”
In the days that followed Ashling’s death, Taoiseach Micheal Martin promised a new national strategy to tackle violence against women.
He said the new approach would include “education and a very clear culture, developed in terms of respect for women and zero tolerance for any practices or any behaviour that undermine women in any way.”
The Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
