President of University College Dublin (UCD), Professor Andrew Deeks, has communicated by way of the President’s Bulletin this evening that a vigil for Ashling Murphy will be held on campus on Thursday at 5 p.m.
The vigil has been organised by UCD Students’ Union and will be held on the lawn in front of O’Reilly Hall. Although the president will not attend the vigil himself, the University will be represented by Professor Mark Rogers, Professor Aoife Ahern, Chair of the Dignity and Respect Oversight Group, Professor Jason Last, Dean of Students and Catherine Tormey, Senior Dignity and Respect Support Advisor.
Deeks encourages “any of you who are on campus to come along and stand in solidarity against bullying, harassment, sexual violence and gender-based violence”. He stated in the bulletin that “this appalling crime places a spotlight on these issues”.
The Students’ Union posted the details for the vigil on their Twitter and said they would provide tealights for the vigil which will be “socially-distanced with masks”. The tweet further states that “it is our hope that the UCD community can come together around this pervasive issue and create a safe space for students to grieve”.
Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old primary school teacher was fatally assaulted in Tullamore, County Offaly while out for a run at 4 p.m. Her fatal assault has resulted in a nationwide call for a more refined strategy to counteract gender violence in Ireland.
Deeks encouraged students to make use of UCD’s Dignity and Respect Support Service in the same bulletin. The service was launched on the 14th of January and the email through which students can get in touch is respect@ucd.ie
Mahnoor Choudhry, Co-Editor
