Muireann O'Connell, Doireann Garrihy, Imelda May demand change after Ashling Murphy murder

The 23-year-old, who was a teacher at Durrow National School, was exercising on a popular jogging route in Tullamore when she was attacked at around 4pm.

There has been an outpour of sadness and anger over Ashling’s death across Ireland today, with many famous faces calling for change on social media.

Ireland AM host Muireann O’Connell took it one step further by giving a passionate speech on the show this morning, in which she said that male violence against women was “a pandemic.”

Speaking about what women do to keep themselves safe outside their homes, she said: “Women walk home with keys in their hands to make sure they’re okay.

“They put in earphones with nothing so that they’re aware of their surroundings, and they can hear someone coming up on them.

“They don’t walk alone, they get taxis home. They’ve got 999 on their phone ready to press call in case something happens.

“They share taxis and go out of their way. They cross the road. They’re in well-lit areas.

“I don’t know what else can be said about this. Violence against women perpetrated by men is a pandemic, and it doesn’t feel like we’re doing anything about it.

“We only need to talk about Jastine Valdez, Ana Kriégel, Elaine O’Hara.

“The numbers, the amount of women that have been killed - 242 since 1996 by men in just this country and 37 women are killed around the world every single day by a partner or a family member.”

Continuing, she said: ““It can’t be on the women anymore. What are you wearing? What are you doing? Why were you out alone? Why can’t I walk on the streets?

“It’s not good enough anymore. We have to take this seriously. This is not a women’s issue, and I know it’s not all men, but it is happening and we have to do something about teaching the boys and men in our society.”

RTÉ 2fm presenter Doireann Garrihy tweeted: “Where do we as Irish women direct our anger and sadness and fear? We have got to rise up and demand change in memory of #AshlingMurphy and all of the women whose lives were stolen before her. There isn’t a woman in Ireland who isn’t sick to the pit of their stomach today.”

And singer Imelda May also called for an end to male violence against women, naming other victims including Alanna Quinn Idris, who was attacked by two men in Ballyfermot last week, and Fiona Pender, who disappeared from Tullamore in 1996.

She wrote: “Women need to be safe from attack. We need to run in safety not constantly running from danger. Justice for Ashling Murphy, Alanna Quinn Idris, Fiona Pender, the list goes on and on… My thoughts are with Aislings family today. #ashlingmurphy #fionapender #alannaquinnidris”

In another tweet, the 47-year-old added: “Ashling Murphy a 22 year old teacher brutally murdered by a stranger as she ran along a route called Fionas Way in Tullamore, named after heavily pregnant Fiona Pender, a 25 year old who disappeared in local area 1996. When will women be safe?????”