Like the rest of the country I am trying to come to terms with the utter senseless murder this week of Ashling Murphy.
Unfortunately Ashling is not the first in this country to die violently but hopefully this will really be a watershed in our attitude to gender based crimes.
The reason I have been so deeply affected by this atrocity is that I see so much of myself in her. Of course she was much younger, more beautiful, more talented than I could ever hope to be. However the number of times I have come home from school, my head "a wool-gathering" after the day, put on my gear and gone for a run or a walk along the canal. I have written many times on this blog about how the canal saved my sanity during lockdowns and restrictions.
It is always so peaceful and tranquil. When I'd get to the car park I'd be disappointed if I'd see it almost full. It meant that there were a lot of people on the route. If the car park was empty I was delighted as it meant that I had the place to myself and didn't have to worry about meeting people. It always felt so safe as there was no traffic.
It would be around 4pm when I'd get there. Still bright even during winter time. I know many people are not so lucky to be able to go that early in the evening.
So I was Aisling, the only difference was I came home.
It was so spiritual to be able to attend a vigil in her honour in our local GAA pitch. It just gave everyone a chance to show their support for and solidarity with her family in this awful time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
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