SHOCK AT KILLING OF JASTINE VALDEZ ‘It’s quiet here. I can’t believe this happened’
‘SHOCKED’ and ‘sad’ were the words frequently used by Enniskerry residents last Monday as they struggled to come to terms with a frightening abduction in the otherwise peaceful village.
Most individuals and businesses didn’t know Jastine Valdez, a 24-year-old student who lived with her parents just outside the village.
As her neighbours answered questions, gardai were closing in on Jastine’s remains, so callously dumped in a remote area past Pucks Castle.
Mark Hennessy had punched her and forced her into his car on Saturday evening, with events leading to gardai shooting him dead in a standoff at Cherrywood.
Hennessy (40), a resident of Woodbrook Lawn in Bray, was a native of Ballybrack. He was a married father-oftwo and a quantity surveyor.
He was seen out socialising in the Ballybrack area on the night before the abduction, and again on Saturday after Jastine had been killed. Hennessy told his wife he was going out with friends, and he never came home.
There was a family celebration on Sunday, Hennessy was not present.
‘I can’t believe this happened in broad daylight,’ said a shop assistant who lives and works in Enniskerry. ‘You see how quiet it is here. People just can’t really believe what’s happened.’
The lady added that the whole village was hoping for a happy resolution. Sadly that was not to be.
‘It’s even strange to see the road closed,’ said a man walking through his home village. ‘Everyone’s the same. R760 and find the victim’s mobile phone.
12.30 p.m. Gardaí issue a description of Jastine and a partial number plate. The public learns that the missing woman is originally from the Philippines. She is 5ft, of slight build, with long black hair and brown eyes.
5.30 p.m. A media briefing takes place at Bray Garda Station. Gardaí issue the registration plate of the black SUV, 171 D 20419. Officers ask people not to approach but contact gardaí if they see the car.
Later that evening, members They can’t believe it happened. Especially here.’
A woman en-route to collect a child from school described what was happening as ‘horrifying’. She said that she didn’t know the young lady, but remembers seeing her jogging around the village.
Another woman said that she will of the people see the car in Killiney. It is then traced to Cherrywood Business Park.
8 p.m. Mark Hennessy is at the Cherrywood scene armed with a knife. A detective opens fire and shoots Hennessy who is pronounced dead at Loughlinstown Hospital. Jastine is not in the car. be nervous to go walking or jogging, in light of what has happened. ‘It’s been doom and gloom in the village for the past days,’ she said.
Bernard Cawley, who runs a dry-cleaning business, said that Jastine was a regular customer, and a lovely person, whose smile would ‘light up the whole place’. dogs and a helicopter.
By afternoon, a purse and identification as well as a sock are found at Pucks Castle, a former pitch and putt golf course.
12.30 p.m. Gardaí issue an appeal for witnesses who may have seen suspicious activity in the Rathmichael area on Saturday evening.
3.45 p.m. Gardaí issue a statement announcing the discovery of a body at Pucks Castle during the search for Ms Valdez. They appeal for privacy for the Valdez family. Gardaí thank the public, the media, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence for their assistance in the investigation.
7.35pm: Gardai issue a new appeal for information after Jastine’s body is discovered. They appeal for anyone who was in the vicinity of Pucks Castle Lane, Murphy’s Lane or using Carrickgollogan Forest Recreation Area or anyone who was in the vicinity of the Lead Mines in Kilternan from Saturday evening to Sunday evening who may have seen anything suspicious or have dashcam footage