GOVERNMENT OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES AS TDS UNITE IN EXPRESSING THEIR HORROR AT MURDERS

THE Tánaiste has contacted the Filipino Ambassador to offer help to a community coming to terms with the horrific murder of Jastine Valdez in Rathmichael.

And psychologists are assisting the traumatised schoolmates of a girl beaten to death in west Dublin. The efforts were outlined as sympathy was expressed with the families of both recent murder victims, Ana Kriegel and Ms Valdez, in the Dáil yesterday.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin acknowledged ‘the hurt and absolute devastation being experienced by the Kriegel and Valdez families over the past number of days’. He added: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Both Ana Kriegel and Jastine Valdez were taken violently and brutally and their families and communities have been left broken-hearted.’

The Taoiseach said he joined with Mr Martin in condemning ‘the senseless and brutal crimes we have seen in the past few days’.

He added: ‘Although nothing we can say will bring Ana Kriegel or Jastine Valdez back. I hope we can provide some reassurance to the many young women and families out there who are scared and concerned.’

The Department of Justice was contacting the families with a view to assisting them, Mr Varadkar said.

‘The Tánaiste has made contact with the Philippines embassy [consulate] to see if there is any assistance we can provide. The National Educational Psychological Service has sent a team to Ana Kriegel’s school to assist the children there for whom it must be a difficult and shocking time.’

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also extended solidarity and condolences to the communities, friends and families of Ana and Valdez, ‘a girl and a young woman who have lost their lives so horribly and cruelly’.

She added: ‘We can only imagine the feelings and heartbreak of their loved ones at this most difficult time.’

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said he wished to join others in expressing his ‘horror and revulsion at the murder in recent days of a child and a young woman’. Solidarity TD Bríd Smith also offered sympathy and solidarity with the families.