Updated: 11.25

The funeral of murdered schoolteacher Ashling Murphy is taking place in Co Offaly.

It is being held at St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus, with burial afterwards in Lowertown Cemetery.

People can view the funeral online, and also leave messages of condolences for the family.

Schools across Ireland were asked to hold a minute's silence at 11am to coincide with the start of the funeral.

The President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Michael Martin and Justice Minister Helen McEntee are among the mourners at the mass in for the 23-year-old.

First-class pupils from Durrow National School formed a guard of honour outside the church.

First-class pupils from Durrow NS form a guard of honour outside St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus. Image: Stephen Murphy

She was killed while running along the Grand Canal near Tullamore last Wednesday.

Gardaí say they expected the funeral will attract a large attendance, with people being asked to assist officers and stewards with parking.

Car parking will be provided as follows:

• Traffic from Tullamore will be directed into Killoughey GAA grounds
• Traffic from Birr/Idle corner will be accommodated in a green field site at Murrays
• Traffic arriving via Ballyboy will be accommodated in a green field site at Dalys

Gardaí will be on duty to manage traffic and parking.

In accordance with Government guidelines, people attending are asked to wear face coverings and sanitise their hands - with no hand shaking and adhere to social distancing rules.

Mourners arrive at St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus, Co Offaly. Picture by: Stephen Murphy

Meanwhile officers investigating her murder have appealed for information on a man in a black tracksuit.

Gardaí say "significant progress" is being made in the investigation and urged anyone with any information who has yet to come forward to contact them as soon as possible.

Investigators say they want to talk to anyone who was on the Grand Canal Way between Digby's Bridge and Ballycommon on the morning or afternoon of the attack - 'regardless of whether you think you saw anything'.

They are also asking the people of Tullamore to consider whether they saw a man dressed in a black tracksuit after the attack.

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.

• Did you see this man walking in the Tullamore area?
• Did you give a lift to this man on the evening of the 12th January 2022.
• Did you notice this man loitering at any location or involved in any activity which drew your attention?

They are also continuing to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks.

Anyone who saw the bike before 4.00pm on Wednesday January 12th, and in the previous days or weeks, is urged to contact Gardaí.

And anyone who captured any camera footage in the Tullamore area on the day of the attack is also encouraged to contact the dedicated phone line on 057-9357-060 at Tullamore Garda station.