A former lecturer of Ashling Murphy says a bright future was taken from her.
Dr Ailbhe Kenny is from Mary Immaculate College, where Ashling trained to be a teacher.
The 23-year-old primary school teacher was killed while out for a run along the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly on Wednesday.
A 40-year-old man, questioned by Gardaí in connection with the attack, has been released.
Dr Kenny told The Hard Shoulder Ashling was well-rounded and multi-talented.
"The MIC college community are in deep, deep shock today and completely heartbroken for Ashling's family, friends, and indeed her school community.
"The type of teacher Ashling was was the type of student Ashling was.
"She was one of these very well-rounded individuals, multi-talented - she was bright, bubbly, she was well-liked.
"And it's just so devastating to think that such a bright future was taken from her."
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Dr Kenny says Ashling gave her love of music to everyone.
"Ashling was someone who demonstrated a deep love of music - and what was so gorgeous about Ashling was she didn't keep that deep love to herself.
"She shared it: she shared it with young, she shared it with old.
"She was already teaching young children and adults music; she was a really talented fiddle player, she was a vibrant member of the Mary Immaculate College Trad Society.
"Right before the very first lockdown, she was involved in the last live performance we had in the college.
"A day before we locked down, she was involved in a recording for Céilí House."
And she says everyone who knew Ashling is suffering a great loss.
"Ashling was one of those people who was immersed in music, and in sharing her music with others.
"She got such joy out of that, and we got such joy from listening to her and seeing her being part of such a wonderful, close knit musical community.
"And I know that that went beyond Mary Immaculate College, that went into her own local community and indeed across Offaly.
"And so we're all suffering the great loss of someone who was an excellent teacher, but also a musical leader for our schools and communities".
