Her family said not being able to hear her play music anymore is heartbreaking.
The family of Ashling Murphy has spoken out about their beloved daughter. Over the weekend, her father and sister paid tribute to Ashling at the Fleadh Cheoil. Ashling was a passionate musician and should have been taking part in this year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar.
Musicians joined her family in paying tribute to the 23-year-old in Mullingar during the festival.
Ashling’s father Raymond and her sister Amy performed with Ballyboy Comhaltas at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann over the weekend.
Her family said not being able to hear her play music anymore is heartbreaking.
Her father Raymond told TG4 that it is a loss they’ll never get over.
“On a Saturday we’d always be busy on the farm here because we’re always working during the week so there’s always a few jobs to be done.
Sweet Sixteen in ómós d'Ashling Murphy a chuir deireadh leis an oíche ❤️ #Fleadh2022 pic.twitter.com/WVZUyf9yko
— TG4 (@TG4TV) August 6, 2022
After finishing his work, Ashling’s father would sit in their home in Tullamore and listen to her play.
“I’d sit down in the chair after and Ashling would be inside in the front room and the music would be going.
“What would she have achieved?”
Ashling’s father said he’d drink a cup of tea and sit there listening to his daughter playing the tin whistle or the violin.
“It was lovely to hear that,” he reflected.
“That’s gone now, none of it anymore,” her father added.
He added: “She had so much more to give to everyone.”
Ashling’s family said she achieved so much in 23 years, but they would have loved to see what her future would hold.
They asked, “What would she have achieved? That’s our terrible loss.”
Ashling Murphy was killed on the 12th of January 2022. The primary school teacher was out jogging when she was attacked by 31-year- old Jozef Puška.
He is due to appear before the Central Criminal Court in June 2023.
