Second man arrested in Ashling Murphy murder probe

Another man remains in custody as part of the investigation into the death of the 23-year-old teacher in Co Offaly.

Tullamore garda station in Co Offaly where a man is being questioned by police investigating the death of Ashling Murphy (Niall Carson/PA) (PA Wire)

Irish police have arrested a second man in the investigation into the death of 23-year-old teacher Ashling Murphy

Garda said on Wednesday that a second man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested and is being questioned in relation to the potential withholding of information.

The man is being held at a garda station in the east of the country.

Another man remains in custody on suspicion of murdering Ms Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The man, who is aged in his 30s, was arrested on Tuesday in Co Offaly.

Ashling Murphy (Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) (PA Wire)

Irish police said the man is still being questioned at Tullamore Garda station.

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

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore last Wednesday.

Large crowds gathered in the village of Mountbolus and outside St Brigid’s Church where her funeral was held on Tuesday.

Mourners included Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin.

Vigils have been held across Ireland and the world to remember Ms Murphy and to call for a change in tackling gender-based violence.