Rest in Peace Ashling

[Minimamame]

I am so upset for the family, friends, colleagues and first class pupils of Ashling Murphy. I can’t get her out of my head today and I’m so angry that this happened to a beautiful young woman. May she rest in peace.

Yes, how on earth do you explain what has happened to those children. And the effect that will have on them as they grow up.

And that's without even touching on poor Aisling and the people who loved her. What an absolute waste. Such a wasteful hate-filled bastard, another one.

It is really is shocking. Working in legal area for many years, I thought I'd get used to it, but I have not, and that's a good thing. The poor girl, and her family and friends. Heartbroken.

When the murderer is found, he will be found to have a history of violence and sexual inappropriate behaviour, that will be well known to family, and friends, and perhaps work colleagues.

Most of the time these spaces are totally safe, until they are not. The sad thing is wonderful parks (and college campuses) near where I live are often a magnet for antisocial elements, drinking/drugs, stalking, flashers, etc. In my field, I'd be much more aware of this than others.

The "notallmen" thing really pisses me off.

Oh God the airwaves are full of politicians giving their views about what we should do as a society.
FFS They are the lawmakers.
Why haven't they done something already to stop the avalanche of porn which desensitises boys and men ?
Or insisted on longer, tougher sentencing for those who use violence against another human.
How often have we women wrung our hands in despair at the lenient sentences handed out by judges on those who commit violent crime ?

Do those judges not have families of their own - mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, husbands, brothers, sons and fathers.

@LadyEloise1 if that despairs you'd be shell-shocked by the reality. I recognise your name from posts here in the past, and assume you're in Ireland. I assume you know the Murphy case (I was not on that case, so OK to comment), but you'll know his crime, sentence, etc. It's crazy! That rapist (also associated but never charged with other cases) is free, new partner, family support, etc.

In Cork, the Horgan case got a lot of attention
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30897064.html

These criminals have a lot of support from friends and family.

I don't work in any legal area at all but am in Cork. Ive been to the regional park so many times and only recently heard about Horgan. I can't go to the park anymore. No man looks over his shoulder when he is out and about, but I guarantee you every single woman does.

Is it Larry Murphy you're on about too? Horrific

That case is horrific @bythebanksof.
As is the other case you mentioned in your post.
If the sentences were longer ( in the second case ) those other crimes would not have been committed.
We are a country of soft sentencing.
To hell with victims.
Who decided that policy ?
Politicians and commentators spouting on about educating young men and boys.
I don't think it has worked, sadly.
But I don't know what would.

I think too of Jastine Valdez and her abduction and brutal murder in Enniskerry in 2018.
Her poor family. I don't know how you would carry on.
Those missing women.............

It's all just so sad.
RIP Ashling.
That Horgan case defies all logic/common sense. Is it possible that the country is so broke that it cannot afford to maintain criminals in prison?
Otherwise I'm unable to fathom it.
It's just terrifying really.

I really can't understand how AM's family are handling this. My heart goes out to them. I'm on the verge of tears every time I think about it.

The commentary by some men on forums is shocking to read. The lack of awareness! Many of the posts on the Irish Times editorial really got to me.

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-times-view-on-violence-against-women-the-right-to-live-without-fear-1.4776648

We really have a long way to go in Ireland, when there are people like this about.

And the comments to this Jennifer O'Connel piece are even more disturbing

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/here-s-what-women-don-t-want-to-happen-after-the-murder-of-ashling-murphy-1.4776494?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fopinion%2Fhere-s-what-women-don-t-want-to-happen-after-the-murder-of-ashling-murphy-1.4776494

Personally, I fully agree with more severe sentences for crimes involving women. I do feel a certain sympathy for todays judges. There are guidelines and precedence, and a legacy of lenient sentences in the past (some well known people!). The proposals on education of men are fine, but they really will have ZERO impact on the people committing these crimes. They typically know what they are doing, they plan it, the select vulnerable people at specific places, and know the risk of getting reported or caught is very small. Education won't help IMHO.

I really thought things might change after the Riedo case (links below). But in fact nothing happened. In that case the murderer was out on bail. In most of these cases the people are repeat offenders, with a string of accusations, only one or two of which will be in general public discourse.

I REALLY hope things will change, but I was so wrong the last time. Sadly politicians will jump on bandwagon too, and they are the ones that could drive change, but have not, e.g., the recent comments Minister for Justice (who I personally know, and have zero faith in, but it is a good step to have a woman in this role)

www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-40054793.html
www.irishcentral.com/news/community/galway-remembers-young-student-who-was-raped-and-murdered-on-first-trip-away-from-home

Please remember too Urantsetseg Tserendorj, a mother of 2 who was stabbed on the Dublin Quays on January 20th 2021 and died two weeks later.

The situation here is a joke

• 34 people have been killed by criminals out on bail in the last five years
• 128 people have been raped or sexually assaulted by criminals out on bail in the same time period

extra.ie/2018/11/13/news/irish-news/bailed-criminals-who-took-lives

And of course, that is only the crimes that have been solved.

@LadyEloise1

Please remember too Urantsetseg Tserendorj, a mother of 2 who was stabbed on the Dublin Quays on January 20th 2021 and died two weeks later.

Yes, absolutely. Another completely random crime, committed by a young teenager which makes it even more shocking.

Yes I remember it... Her husband is heartened by her mention in these last days as it was quite low key at time. Horrific.

I'm heartbroken, and I feel bad saying that because I'm just a bystander. I keep thinking of Ashling's family. In addition to their horrific loss, they also have to deal with all of the publicity, and presumably a trial in due course. They can never have their ordinary, nice lives back. Ever.

One of the most poignant things for me was seeing the innocent faces of the little children she taught. Standing as the hearse drove by, and one little girl raised her hand to her head, in a little innocent salute. Maybe something she saw somewhere, I don't know, but just beautiful. Those little children should know nothing about evil, but they have had it enter their lives with the murder of their lovely teacher.

May her family find some shred of comfort from the support, and the horror that her murder has caused. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

A truly talented lass, with her whole life before her. RIP Ashling.

Another concurrent sentence for a man who sexually assaulted a 91 year old woman in her bed when he broke in to her home. Her carer was awakened by him and rang the guards. He put up a big fight against the guards.

I am just sick of these pathetic sentences. I am calling on our legislators and in particular the female Minister for Justice to do something.

Who decided Ireland would be a soft on crime country ?

www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/sex-offender-who-used-snapchat-to-prey-on-girl-12-walks-free-from-prison-41277197.html

Free to start a new life...
She was 12 at the time..
Why can't we have tougher sentences?

It's so tragic, so sad my heart goes out to the family, friends and community.

Ashling may you never be forgotten, may your beauty from within shine from the brightest star in the sky.

I feel petrified about the direction our society is going. Well, I think it's already gone. I am not sure there is any turning back now. From the real threats of: incels, pornography, from social media/ internet content, even the lack of morals & respect we are seeing from our so called leaders right now. Very worrying

@DirtyDancing
I too despair at the way our society is going.
I worry for my children and my future grandchildren ( if I am lucky enough to have grandchildren).