Children taught by murdered teacher Ashling Murphy held up photographs of her as they formed a touching guard of honour outside church before her funeral began this morning.

The body of the 23-year-old, a talented musician, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, sparking a murder investigation.

Her death has intensified debate around women’s safety and prompted calls for more to be done to tackle gender-based violence.

Tens of thousands of people across Ireland have also attended vigils in recent days to honour Ms Murphy.

Huge crowds gathered for the funeral in the village of Mountbolus, and outside St Brigid’s Church, where Ms Murphy’s funeral mass is being held.

The service is being livestreamed.

Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin are among those in attendance.

Children outside the church held photographs of Ms Murphy and roses. The message next to Ms Murphy’s image read: ‘Fly high in the sky, Our shining light.’

Screens have been set up in Killoughey community centre and Kilcormac/Killoughey GAA pitch to cater for large crowds at the funeral.

Representatives from Ms Murphy’s local Gaelic football club as well as from her old school are in attendance at the parish church of Saint Brigid.

Schoolchildren provided a guard of honour outside the church prior to the funeral. A number of children also held fiddles and tin whistles.

Ms Murphy’s sister paid tribute to her on social media.

Amy Murphy described Ashling as the ‘light of our lives and the heart of our family’.

She asked musicians attending the funeral to bring their instrument and play music at the town’s lower cemetery after the funeral.

Ms Murphy’s parents Raymond and Kathleen, and siblings Amy and Cathal and her boyfriend Ryan will be among the chief mourners.

Teacher unions have urged schools across Ireland to observe a minute of silence in her memory.

Earlier, police renewed an appeal for information, saying ‘significant progress’ has been made in the murder probe.

They released the description of a man they want to speak to in relation to the teacher’s murder in Co Offaly.

Officers have asked anyone who saw a man dressed in black tracksuit top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side and black trainers to come forward.

Police have asked members of the public whether they saw him walking in the Tullamore area, or if they gave him a lift on the evening last Wednesday.

People have also been asked if they noticed him loitering at any location or ‘involved in any activity which drew your attention’.

It comes as police identified a new person of interest, who is believed to be in hospital in the Dublin region receiving treatment, and are waiting to speak to him.

As their investigation continues, Gardai believe the development of DNA profiles will form an integral part of the search for Ms Murphy’s killer.

Detectives appealed to anyone who has not made contact with the investigation team and who has any information to come forward.

Gardai said in a statement: ‘We are now asking for any member of the public who was on the Grand Canal Way on the morning or afternoon of the January 12 between Digby’s bridge and Ballycommon to contact the investigation team.

‘Whether you think you saw anything or not please contact gardai in Tullamore.

‘We continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks prior to 4pm on Wednesday and in the previous days and weeks.

‘We are now asking for people in Tullamore to think about last Wednesday after 4pm and not to confine their thoughts to the Falcon Storm mountain bike.’

Gardai said they are concerned about people sharing information on social media, particularly private messaging apps.

They appealed for people to stop sharing these messages.

Members of the public continued to bring floral tributes and messages to the canal in recent days.

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