A bottle bank has been removed from a recycling facility near where Ashling Murphy was murdered.
The 23-year-old was killed while running along the Grand Canal near Tullamore, Co Offaly last Wednesday.
Investigating Gardaí have also appealed for information on a man dressed in a black tracksuit and say "significant progress" is being made.
They describe him as wearing a black top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side and black runners.
Liz Dunphy is a reporter with the Irish Examiner and told Newstalk Breakfast: "The investigation does seem to be gathering at pace.
"There was also a bottle bank removed from a recycling facility, just about one kilometre away from where Ms Murphy was so tragically killed.
"And it's understood that Gardaí may believe that there's something of evidential value in that.
"There have been a number of premises also searched in both Offaly and Tullamore... in relation to the investigation.
"And some vehicles have also been seized".
But she says a motive has not yet been identified.
"I think it's still understood that they were unknown to each other - that Ms Murphy and her killer did not know each other.
"So as far as I'm aware it's still believed to be a random attack... and that obviously is something that has struck such fear, really, into so many people's hearts".
While Ms Murphy will be buried later following a funeral mass at St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus.
Schools across Ireland are also being asked to hold a minute's silence at 11.00am.
Gardaí say they expect the funeral will attract a large attendance.