‘Everyone is sick... what kind of end is it for her?

SHE stood out in the town for her friendliness, bright smile and easy laugh.

She was often seen in Enniskerry, always with a friendly chat for the shop owners.

And those same locals were in deep mourning last night.

Jastine Valdez and her family lived in a beautiful lodge house in an Enniskerry estate.

She was often seen by locals talking the long commute to the Tallaght Institute of Technology, where she was studying accountancy. When it snowed, she ploughed through the estate on a home-made sledge.

The small town of Enniskerry in Co. Wicklow was in mourning last night over news of the death of 24-year-old Jastine, whose body was discovered yesterday afternoon.

Bernard Cawley, 57, from Executive Dry Cleaners, said that Jastine had been a regular customer of his. ‘She was very, very friendly, always smiling and laughing,’ he said. ‘She was a lovely girl and always brought a smile to your face. Everyone is absolutely in shock and devastated by what’s happened.’

Jastine was well known in Enniskerry, where a vigil was organised in St Mary’s Parish Church in the town late yesterday afternoon. Speaking before the vigil, Father Bernard Kennedy said: ‘It’s a very close-knit community so therefore it is felt. It is not like a suburban parish in Dublin, it affects everybody.’

Fr Kennedy said that people were attending the vigil just to be together and that it would be cathartic. ‘I didn’t know her personally,’ he added. ‘I’ve always found that in any parish the Filipino community are a very dedicated people.’

Fr Kennedy said that on Saturday, the day Jastine was abducted, Enniskerry was packed with tourists and cycling groups who were on a 100-mile cycle. He also added that he doesn’t believe that the town has anything to be afraid off.

‘I don’t think there is any need to be afraid because it seemed to a very random act and there is no regularity to that in this area; it is not that kind of place,’ said Fr Kennedy.

He also said that the quick work of the gardaí over the weekend would reassure people.

A local woman, Sandra Archer, added: ‘This is a tourist village – it is mainly Americans and Northern Irish. There is no crime, it is a very peaceful, very easy-going town and a very country little village.’

Earlier yesterday, when information as to Jastine’s whereabouts was scarce, Enniskerry locals were hoping for her safe return.

Many in the community had described her as a very cheery and pretty girl.

Skip Nolan, a 61-year-old man, who has lived in Enniskerry his entire life, said that he was ‘sick’ when he heard the news.

Mr Nolan said that Jastine would be seen regularly in the town at the bus stop.

‘I’ve seen her walk up that road by herself a few times,’ he said. ‘Everyone is sick because she stood out in the village – she was that kind of girl.

‘What kind of end is it?’ added Mr Nolan.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, before the discovery of Jastine’s body, Mr Nolan had said he was hoping for positive news but wasn’t optimistic.

Roads in the area were closed off by gardaí, including the road up to the family home of Jastine – a beautiful lodge house at an estate in the area.

It may be a while before this quiet country town in Wicklow comes terms with the tragic events of recent days.