Ashling Murphy – Second man arrested over murder of school teacher killed as she jogged along canal

A SECOND man has been arrested over the murder of Ashling Murphy – who was killed in broad daylight while on a jog last Wednesday.

The murdered teacher, 23, fought bravely before she was tragically killed by the stranger on a canal bank in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The second arrest, of a man in his 30s, was made this morning, Irish police confirmed.

He was detained in the eastern part of Ireland for questioning in relation to potential withholding of information.

The arrest was made after police renewed an appeal for information, saying “significant progress” had been made with their investigation.

This comes after police yesterday arrested a dad-of-three on suspicion of her murder.

The chief suspect in the teacher’s tragic murder case was spotted leaving St James’ Hospital in Dublin around 11.30am yesterday morning.

The man, in his 30s, was arrested and is being probed by police after spending the last five nights at the Dublin hospital.

He was receiving treatment for a number of injuries – including some believed to be self-inflicted.

The suspect – from outside Tullamore – can be held for 24 hours before being charged or released.

Ashling – who put up a brave fight during the frenzied 4pm assault – died last Wednesday after she was targeted at the canal bank.

The first man was arrested as thousands of mourners joined Ashling’s family, friends, boyfriend, pupils and fellow musicians at her funeral in ­Tullamore yesterday.

Teary-eyed mourners lined the streets and comforted one another as they watched Ashling’s coffin being taken into the church.

Ashling’s heartbroken boyfriend, Ryan Casey, told mourners at her graveside that Ashling “is the greatest love of my life.”

He said: “I will cherish the last five years we spent together for my entire life. I hope that some day, God willing, we can be reunited once more and continue the great plans we had made for each other. 

“Goodbye for now, but not for ever, darling. Ashling shall live on in all of our hearts.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed that police probing her murder were using DNA found under her nails after she tried to fight off the attacker to find the killer.

Samples were taken from the hands, nails and clothing of the 23-year-old teacher in a crucial bid to link the killer to the scene of the awful murder.

DNA and fingerprint evidence were taken from a Falcon Storm mountain bike found dumped near the murder scene.