In the three years since Ashling Murphy’s tragic death, 26 women have lost their lives violently in Ireland, mostly at the hands of men they knew
Tullamore: It’s been three years since Ashling Murphy was murdered, and the numbers are staggering. Since that awful day, 26 other women have also died violently in Ireland. Most of these women were killed by men they knew, which is just heartbreaking.
According to Women’s Aid, about 13% of femicide victims are attacked by strangers. Sarah Benson, the CEO of Women’s Aid, pointed out that women still don’t feel safe, even after Ashling’s tragic death.
Ashling, a 23-year-old teacher, was out jogging along the Grand Canal when she was brutally attacked on January 12, 2022. The man who did it, Jozef Puska, is now serving a life sentence, but he never explained why he targeted her.
On that fateful day, he followed several women on his bike before he stabbed Ashling multiple times. It’s chilling to think about. Statistics show that many women who die violently are killed by someone they were once in a relationship with.
Sarah Benson mentioned that many women are now too scared to jog alone. They feel they have to run with friends just to feel safe. It’s sad that it’s come to this. Women should be able to jog freely without fear.
She also highlighted the difficulty in identifying potential threats. You can’t tell just by looking at someone if they’re dangerous. It’s a scary thought, and it’s a reality many women face every day.
Reports indicate that one in four women in Ireland experience domestic or sexual violence. The numbers are still high, and it’s alarming that they haven’t decreased. A significant percentage also suffer from psychological abuse.
Ms. Benson pointed out a troubling trend among young Irish men, who seem to have a more domineering attitude towards women. In contrast, older men tend to view women as equals. It’s a stark difference that needs addressing.
She emphasized that young boys aren’t born to be violent, and women aren’t meant to be submissive. Yet, societal influences, like social media and pornography, seem to fuel these harmful views.
She also referenced the recent civil rape case involving Conor McGregor, highlighting the abuse directed at the victim, Nikita Hand. It’s shocking how some young men reacted to her bravery in standing up for herself.
