Ashling Murphy was a 23-year-old Irish primary school teacher and traditional Irish musician. On the afternoon of 12 January 2022, she was attacked and killed while jogging along the Grand Canal just outside Tullamore, County Offaly.

I wrote this piece on Jan 14th -

Don't tell women to do the right thing

In order to protect themselves

From attack

From death.

Tell men

To behave as humane

Sentient beings

To act with decency and respect.

Tell men

To refrain from lewd remarks

Coarse comments

Unwanted looks and leers

Unwanted commentary and appraisal

Of physical attributes

Unwanted touching and handling.

Unwanted. Unwelcome. Uncalled for.

Stop attacking.

Stop maiming.

Stop killing.

Stop men.

Stop.

Change the record

"Boys will be boys."

Fine.

If.

If they're respectful boys

Manners boys

Boys aware of the dignity and rights

Of all others.

Be those boys, those men.

Don't tell women to do the right thing.

Tell men.