Tragic Ashling Murphy and partner Ryan planned to build first home together

The 23-year-old schoolteacher was murdered as she jogged along a canal in Tullamore on Wednesday.

In the weeks leading up to her horrific death, Ashling and Ryan – who had been together for six years – were preparing to build a home on a site gifted to them by Ryan’s grandparents.

A friend told Evoke.ie that the pair could not have been happier together, saying: “Just before Christmas, Ryan's grandfather Willie gave them a site and he said to them to ‘build away.’

“The site was next to Willie and Breda's [Ryan's grandmother] home and they would all have been living next to each other.”

The source said that Ryan has been absolutely “destroyed” by Ashling’s murder.

“Ryan is a gentleman. He and Ashling were going out together for six years. They were going out a long time and Ryan is stunned,” they said.

“Ashling was just gorgeous. They were great together and they were well matched. So many lives have been ruined by this. Ryan's life is destroyed.

“Ashling had done some of her teaching practice at Durrow National School and then a job came up there and she applied for it over the summer and started working there full-time in September.

“Ryan had been to college and he was doing some work with metal. As far as I know he was doing some welding. They were mapping out their lives together and then Ashling was just snuffed out, and for what?”

The funeral mass for Ashling will take place on Tuesday morning.

Parish priest of Kilcormac and Killoughney, Mount Bolus in Co Offaly, Fr Michael Meade will be the chief celebrant at the mass which will be attended by family and close friends.

According to the arrangements published on RIP.ie: “Ashling will repose in her family home on Sunday from 3pm until 8pm, strictly. Also on Monday from 3pm until 8pm, strictly. Rosary on both nights will take place at 8pm.

“Removal on Tuesday to arrive at St. Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in Lowertown Cemetery, Mountbolus. Family flowers only, please. House strictly private on Tuesday, please,” the notice stated.