SOCCER BOSS ASSAULTED IN 1AM ATTACK
Gardai are checking CCTV footage after unprovoked assault Tragic Jastine’s mum and dad may return home after horrific murder
THE parents of murder victim Jastine Valdez are considering moving back home to the Phillippines after her horrific death.
It is understood her body is to be flown to her hometown of Aritao as early as today.
Her traumatised parents will be comforted by relatives, including Jastine’s grandmother who raised her, and they may move home permanently.
On Friday morning they met with relatives of Jastine’s murderer Mark Hennessy. A Garda statement said they “exchanged sympathies with each other on the tragic circumstances that resulted in the loss of our respective loved ones”.
The couple, in their late 40s, are struggling to deal with the murder of their only child. Family friend Karen Geograsosaid: “I don’t know if they want to stay here because all the bad memories are here or if they want to go home for good, we don’t know.
“The granny wants to mourn. The final say is they want to WATERFORD FC have confirmed the club’s first team manager was viciously assaulted in the early hours of yesterday.
It is understood Alan Reynolds was attacked from behind and beaten by two men at around 1am in Tramore.
Mr Reynolds, who is in his 40s and living locally, is recovering in hospital with a suspected broken leg and injuries to his face and body.
Garda in Tramore are appealing for witnesses.
A statement from the club said: “Waterford FC can confirm that manager Alan Reynolds is recovering in hospital following an unprovoked assault.
“The club will be making no further comment on the matter.”
Circumstances surrounding the assault are unclear but it is known that he had been out socialising with friends and watching the Champions League final in the hours prior to the assault.
An FAI coach and former Waterford United FC captain, Mr Reynolds was part of the team that oversaw the rebranded Waterford FC’S return to the Premier League.
He was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment.
A League of Ireland fan Facebook page said: “Everyone here and indeed the wider League of Ireland family would like to send our well-wishes to Waterford manager Alan Reynolds, who was the victim of a vicious and cowardly assault last night.
“The attack occurred at approximately 1am last night in Tramore and gardai in the locality are appealing for witnesses.
“Get well soon Alan.”
Gardai are checking CCTV footage and are appealing for witnesses. There have been no arrests so far.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tramore Garda station on 051 391620.
The wider League of Ireland family sends him well-wishes FACEBOOK POST YESTERDAY
bring Jastine back home.” The tragic 24 year-old accountancy student was said to be thrilled to be reunited with her parents, who moved to Ireland almost 20 years ago.
Dad Danilo and mum Teresita said their daughter was eager to settle in Ireland after moving here three years ago.
Jastine was killed by Hennessy on Saturday, May 19, after she was bundled into a Nissan Qashqai near her home in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
She was strangled by the dad of two just 45 minutes after being abducted and her body was dumped at Puck’s Castle in Rathmichael, South Dublin.
A Gofundme page set up by Raymond Garrett on behalf of Outreach Ireland to help the parents of Jastine to repatriate the body had reached almost €140,000 on Friday, 14 times the initial €10,000 target.
Today Filipino priest Fr Rene Esoy of the Sacred Heart Chapel on Bachelors Walk in Dublin will pray for Jastine during a special monthly Mass.