Poor family tortured by a cruel killer

THE horrific murder of Jastine Valdez shocked the nation and broke the hearts of her grieving family.

Yesterday they spoke about the trauma they continue to suffer months after her killing.

The burden of their pain is all the worse as they will never know why Mark Hennessy launched his murderous act.

A detective believed he was stabbing the Filipino woman and shot him dead.

It is understandable that Jastine’s parents Tess and Danny now lament that they will never hear from Hennessy.

They will grapple with those questions forever but the fact remains Hennessy was nothing more than a callous killer.

He may have been suffering from drug addiction but what he did to Jastine were the actions of an evil twisted mind.

The tribute paid to the Irish public by the Valdez family is a credit to the people of Bray and Ireland.

Their support has helped them through their darkest moments and no doubt will be there as an ever present assistance when needed.

Bray has suffered at the hands of callous killers too much this year but they continue to show the strength of community spirit.

The Garda investigation will establish the facts and answers will be gathered together but the Valdez family will never be at peace – their grief will always be there.