ASHLING Murphy's heartbroken partner Ryan Casey broke down in tears as he bid a final farewell and told her: “Goodbye for now but not forever darling.”

In an emotional graveside tribute, the murdered 23-year-old's boyfriend of five years said she was, is and will always be his soulmate after her devastated family laid the talented teacher to rest today.

Popular Ashling was brutally killed while out jogging on a canal walkway.

Ashling, who put up a brave fight during the frenzied assault by a stranger, lost her fight for life last Wednesday after she was targeted in the random attack at the canal bank in Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Ireland came to a halt as a minute’s silence was held at 11am across the country as Ashling’s funeral was held at St Brigid’s Church in the Offaly village of Mountbolus, with the murder victim later laid to rest at nearby Lowertown cemetery.

LIGHT OF THEIR LIVES

Ms Murphy’s heartbroken parents, Raymond and Kathleen, sister Amy, brother Cathal and boyfriend Ryan were supported at the requiem Mass by mourners including President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Addressing a crowd at his girlfriend’s graveside, distraught Ryan broke down as he described his partner of five years as a “shining light” and the “greatest love of my life”.

He said: “It’s simply not possible to explain what Ashling meant to myself or her family and friends in these few brief words.

“What I would like to say at this moment in time is that Ashling was in fact our shining light.

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“She loved her mum Kathleen, her father Ray, big sister Amy and her big brother Cathal and all of her family and friends so much.

“She was always there, always willing to help anybody, anywhere, at any time and always put herself last.

“She had so many hobbies and talents which all combined to make her an incredible, loving, beautiful person we were all so lucky to know and loved to spend as much time with as possible.”

POIGNANT TRIBUTE

Ryan continued: “Ashling was so much more to me than a girlfriend. She was my soulmate, she is my soulmate, she will always be my soulmate.

“She is the greatest love of my life. I will cherish the last five years we spent together my entire life.

“I hope that someday, God willing, we can be reunited once more and continue the great plans we had made for each other.

“Goodbye for now but not forever darling, as you will live on in all of our hearts and memories.”

Mr Casey was comforted at the graveside by family who told how the couple had been planning to build a house together before his beloved girlfriend was savagely killed last week.

Ashling and Ryan, who had been together for around six years, had been planning to build a house together.

During the funeral Mass, Ashling’s murder was branded “a depraved act of violence” which has “united the country in grief and support”.

'PRECIOUS GIFT'

And as the service heard her devastated family have been “robbed of their most precious gift”, the slain teacher’s cousin delivered an impassioned plea for violence against women to end.

Tens of thousands of people have attended vigils in Ireland, in the UK and cities across the world to remember Ms Murphy and demand more to be done to tackle violence against women.

Ashling’s cousin Rachel O’Shea took to the altar during the funeral Mass and revealed the Murphy family’s hope that their girl’s barbaric death will mark a turning point for women.

In one of the Prayers of the Faithful, Rachel said: “We pray that the many vigils that took place in memory of Ashling, mark the beginning of an end to violence against women. May the candle light tributes bring an everlasting hope to all those who live in fear.”

Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, addressed mourners at the funeral Mass and told how Ashling’s family have been plunged into “a nightmare” following her horror slaying.

Deenihan said: “I would like to offer a few words of sympathy and support, on behalf of the people and priests of the Diocese of Meath, to Ashling’s family and friends.

“The past few days have been a nightmare. A walk on a mild and sunny afternoon in January should be a happy event, promising the brighter and warmer days of spring and summer.

“That, as we know, was not the case. A depraved act of violence which deprived a kind, talented, loved and admired young woman of her life has since united the country in grief and support.”

TIME FOR CHANGE

As the Bishop spoke of the Murphy family’s shocking loss, the top churchman also called for more to be done to tackle violence against women.

Bishop Deenihan said: “The crime has also asked questions of ourselves and of society.

“It has questioned our attitudes and, particularly, our attitudes towards women and it has questioned our values and our morality.

“Whether those questions will be addressed or passed over remains to be seen but we cannot allow such violence and disregard for both human life and bodily integrity take root in our time and culture.

“Pope Francis in his homily for New Year’s Day just two weeks ago said that violence against women was an insult to God.

“We all know that no individual should die like Ashling and no family should suffer like Ashling’s. Respect is an old-fashioned word but it is an important one.

“Respect was missing last Wednesday but it has re-emerged here all the stronger. Let us respect each other.”

ASHLING'S TALENTS

A number of items were brought up to the altar to represent Ashling’s life, including a fiddle to highlight her love of music.

Other symbols included a treasured family photograph, a camogie jersey from her GAA club Kilcormac/Killoughey and a school book in a nod to her teaching career.

The primary school teacher was remembered as a “woman who made a difference, who brought happiness and who was loved”.

Bishop Deenihan said: “Today is about Ashling and her family and friends. I also think of Ashling’s pupils and the staff of Durrow National School who have lost a wonderful colleague and teacher.

“Their grief and their loss must be acknowledged and supported. As we return to our lives after today, their grief and loss remains.

“If there is a chink of light to last week’s darkness it must be the outpouring of support and sympathy that we have all seen.

“It was manifested at the various vigils, it was manifested by those who assisted here, at the family home and in Durrow school over the past few days by those who quietly and discreetly provided refreshments, stewarding and whatever help that they could.

“Community is important and community works. Community is needed to overcome evils such as this and community will be needed here in the weeks ahead.

“Today, we bury Ashling as we must. We bury a woman who lived the short years given to her to the full, who developed her talents, who reached out to others, who made a difference, who brought happiness and who was loved.”

Ashling’s cousins Emma Murphy and Lorraine Dunne delivered readings during the service while music was performed by members of Ballyboy Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, teaching colleagues and friends of the murder victim.

'DEATH IS NOT THE END'

Bishop Deenihan added: “At moments like this, our faith in Jesus Christ and in His Resurrection come to our aid. Death is not the end, the grave is not our final destiny. We must remember that. We need to remember that.

“The Prayers of Commendation which we are about to begin talk of ‘dispersing in sorrow’ but with the hope of meeting again. In the bitter reality of one let us not lose faith in the other.

“Saint Paul talks of the ‘Communion of Saints’, that union of those who lived good and holy lives, lives of generosity, lives that brought happiness.

“One day, the prayers say, we shall see Ashling again and enjoy her company. Until then, we commend her to God, consoling ourselves and each other with that other line from the ritual. ‘Blessed are they who die in the Lord, let them rest from their labours for their good deeds go with them’.

“May Ashling’s memory be a consolation and may she rise in glory.”

Local parish priest Father Michael Meade spoke of the anguished Murphy family’s “raw and fierce” pain.

In his Homily, Fr Meade described the murder as a “horrible act of violence which has invaded all our lives”.

'HEAVY PRICE WE PAY FOR LOVE'

He said: “I extend a warm welcome to all who join with the Murphy family and with Ashling’s faith community.

“Together we grieve, we pray, we hurt – this is the heavy price we pay for love – we gather as a family of faith, to be with, to support by our prayer and our presence, those whose darkness is deep, whose pain is raw and fierce.

“Kathleen and Ray, Cathal, Amy and her boyfriend, Ryan – you have been robbed of your most precious gift – a gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many beyond your family.

“Many centuries ago, four very important words were delivered by angels first to Mary who said yes – then to lowly shepherds who came to see – we all need to hear those same words again ‘Do not be afraid’ – these words are for all of us who have walked with, who have gathered in vigils, who gather today in wherever space we are – let us not be afraid to pray for one another, let us not be afraid to make change a reality in all our lives, change for what only is good.

“The issues raised in many ways and by many voices since this horrible act of violence invaded all our lives will, we pray, continue to evolve and bring the change we need so much, to simply give and show respect.”

As the garda probe into Ashling's killing continues, a man in his 30s was arrested earlier today by investigators from Tullamore Garda station at a south Dublin hospital on suspicion of murder.

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