LAST UPDATE | 19 Jan 2022
A SECOND MAN who was arrested by gardaí investigating the killing of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore last week has been released without charge.
The man, who is in his 30s, was being held by gardaí on suspicion of potentially withholding information.
He was released without charge by gardaí on Wednesday evening. A file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosections.
The man who was arrested yesterday in connection with the fatal assault on the school teacher was charged and due to appear in court on Wednesday.
This man, also in his 30s, was arrested yesterday after gardaí renewed an appeal for information, with them saying “significant progress” had been made with their investigation.
“Gardaí investigating the fatal assault on Ashling Murphy that occurred at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, 12th January, 2022, along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore, County Offaly have arrested a male in his 30s on suspicion of murder,” the statement said.
Ashling was laid to rest after a requiem mass yesterday.
Searches have been carried out around Tullamore in recent days in connection with the investigation.
It is understood gardaí have also gathered hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and a team of officers are now viewing that footage in order to piece together the movements of the young teacher and her attacker last Wednesday.
It is understood officers have also seized several mobile phones that will be examined forensically.
Forensic tests are being carried out on samples from the murder scene, with strong hopes of DNA evidence being obtained.
Witness statements
Sources have said that there are dozens of lines of enquiry, known to gardaí as job sheets, and these include taking witness statements as well as checking possible sightings of the suspect.
A garda team that specialises in interviewing suspects will conduct the questioning in two hour blocks with the suspect.
Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act allows the gardaí to detain a person who has been arrested for questioning.
The process involves the arrest and then the suspect is taken to a garda station where a member-in-charge will grant the detention if their are satisfied it is needed for the proper investigation of the offence.
They can be held for a maximum of 24 hours – that detention period is broken down into timed blocks.
It can be extended after six hours for a further six hours on application to a Superintendent. It can be extended further for 12 hours on an application to a Chief Superintendent.
Samples – such as for DNA, finger prints and photographs – can also be taken.
The arrested person can be offered an eight-hour rest period for sleep if they are detained during the night – questioning is suspended at this time.
A doctor can also certify the person unfit for interview which means their detention is suspended.
With reporting by Niall O’Connor and Rónán Duffy.
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