Offaly woman Ashling Murphy’s parents have spoken out in a rare interview, which some have called a “heartbreaking” tribute on TG4’s coverage of Fleadh Cheoil.
Her father, Raymond, said that one of the biggest losses for him was busy Saturday afternoons during which Ashling would often be in the front room giving music lessons.
“I’d listen to them for maybe half an hour while I was drinking a cup of tea after dinner,” he said before adding that it was lovely to hear it, “that’s gone now, none of it anymore.”
Speaking about his daughter, Raymond said: “Life will go on, we’ll celebrate all of the good times we had. We had a lot of good times,” before adding, “She had so much more to give to everyone.”
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Raymond questioned what his youngest daughter would have achieved if she had another 23 years, given how much she achieved in her life. “That’s our terrible loss and I can say no more than that,” he said.
Schoolteacher Ashling was killed while out for a run on the Grand Canal just outside Tullamore in January of this year, sparking a nationwide outpouring of shock and grief.
Ashling's mother, Kathleen Murphy said: “She always had a big smile for everyone,” before adding, “she was very loveable, caring, she loved everyone. She had so much love to give to the world”
Kathleen described their loss as a “huge void.”
Speaking about her sister’s younger years, Amy said that Ashling spent a lot of time in Dan and Molly’s pub with Ballyboy Comhaltas, where she did her music lessons as a child.
“They really nurtured us as children and then I suppose I think they really instilled that in us, and for Ashling in particular and I think that’s what made her such a good musician and such a good friend and such a good music teacher.”
Speaking about the aftermath of her sister’s death, Amy said: “When Ashling passed away, the support we have had from our branch is phenomenal, just phenomenal. Sometimes you didn’t even have to ask, it’s like they could just read our minds.”
Viewers, including Ronan O'Gara, have described the interview as “heartbreaking” and a “beautiful tribute.”
Jozef Puska, 31, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is charged with murdering Ashling.
He is scheduled to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court on June 6 next year. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
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