Artist Shane Gillen creates moving video tribute to Ashling Murphy and raises €65,000 for Women’s Aid

An Irish artist has created a moving video tribute to Ashling Murphy, who was murdered as she went for a run along the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Shane Gillen created the video of himself sketching the 23-year-old primary school teacher. It is set it to music played by Ashling herself, a talented fiddle player. It includes the traditional song She Moved Through The Fair, sung by Lyra. There is also choral singing by Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, where Ashling was a past student. Gillen also overlays the voices of commentators including the Taoiseach speaking about her killing and the daily threat of violence that women feel when out in public. The video has been viewed thousands of times and has already raised more than €65,000 for Women’s Aid, even though the initial target was €1,000. The sensitive piece was warmly received on social media. "A gorgeous tribute to Ashling,” wrote Caroline Foran. Ashley Kehoe wrote: “Powerful and absolutely beautiful.” Donie Keyes said: “Powerful. Stunning.” "Nothing we do can bring Ashling back, but we all want to honour her memory and do what we can to support women at risk and to build a better future. Please donate what you can to Women’s Aid. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam, Ashling,” Gillen said as he posted the tribute.