People unite after darkest week

YESTERDAY, Jastine Valdez’s parents began the sad journey with their daughter’s remains back to their native Philippines to lay her to rest.

Over the weekend, hundreds of people from all over Ireland travelled to Bray to pay their respects at Murphy’s funeral home on the Boghall Road.

Jastine Valdez lay in repose there on Friday and Saturday afternoon, with the public invited to attend.

Filipino and Irish alike filed past the remains of the 24-year-old, who was dressed in a white blazer, pale pink scarf, and was covered with a thin veil.

Her parents arrived on Friday evening for a private family ceremony, with a similar schedule to follow the next day. Many who attended did not know Jastine or her family. They felt compelled to come and surround her parents, Danilo and Teresita, with support.

On Friday morning, they met Mark Hennessy’s parents in Enniskerry and the two bereft families exchanged sympathies.

‘In the midst of our grief both the Valdez and Hennessy families met on Friday morning where we exchanged sympathies with each other on the tragic circumstances that resulted in the loss of our respective love ones,’ they said in a statement released through the garda press office. ‘Both families request privacy at this very difficult time.’

Danilo and Teresita Valdez paid tribute to their late daughter in a statement they released last week through the Irish Consulate of the Philippines. In one of the darkest and most chaotic weeks of Enniskerry’s history, hundreds of people observed a moment of sunlit silence at the clock tower in the heart of the village last Tuesday evening.

A part-time student, Jastine Valdez worked as a carer for a local family. People of all ages, Irish people, Filipino people, and those from all walks of life were reminded last week to care for one another.

The overriding sense in the village and in Bray now, is one of compassion

‘We would like to thank all the Irish people and the Philippine community living in Ireland for all their support, compassion, and sympathy during this tragic time for us,’ they said. ‘It has been of some comfort knowing how deeply our beautiful daughter Jastine has affected the people of Ireland.

‘Our daughter’s plans were to settle in Ireland, buy a house here and make a new life. She is a fun-loving, wonderful, caring daughter and friend. She is always in our hearts and in the hearts of the people of Ireland.’

They thanked the emergency services, the gardaí, Chief Superintendent John Quirke, Superintendent Pat Ward, and their liaison officer Garda Pat Mackey. ‘ They have acted with the utmost professionalism and speed to return our beautiful daughter Jastine to us,’ they said.

‘We also wish to acknowledge the support and sympathy of our family, friends, and the people of the Philippines, Outreach Ireland, and both the Philippine and Irish Dept of Foreign Affairs for their help and support. ‘Finally, we wish to thank the wonderful help and support given by Mark Congdon, Consul of the Philippines for all he has done to support us during this traumatic time.’

Jastine is survived by her parents, grandmother Marcelina, grandfather Felepipe, aunts, uncles, extended family, and many close friends in Ireland and the Philippines. for two families who face deep and painful grief in the coming years.

The vigil included the lighting of candles, prayers, and the signing of a book of condolence.

Fr Bernard Kennedy, Rev Ricky Rountree and Fr Reme Esoy attended to lead their communities in praying for Jastine.

The communities joined their voices in prayer and song, and a quiet strength in the face of the horror which descended on north Wicklow on the evening of Saturday, May 19.

Deputy John Brady told gathered mourners that the Valdez family had lost a beautiful daughter in the prime of her life.

The Hennessy family was not forgotten. Mark Congdon, the Philippines’ honorary consul in Ireland, said that they too were victims, and asked those present to pray for them.

‘We pray that the Valdez family will take small amount of comfort from the deep-seeded sincere sympathy and heartfelt love here tonight,’ said Mr Congdon. He said also, that the same compassion is felt all over the country, ‘regardless of whether you’re Filipino, Irish or any other nationality.

‘Please remember Jastine and her family in your prayers tonight and every day forward as they will need the continued love, care and support of prayers from all who are so deeply touched by this terrible tragedy.’

Fr Esoy said that in Filipino they say the words maraming salamat (thank you very much).

‘I think this is our expression of gratitude for all the Irish people,’ he said. ‘In the midst of this tragedy there is the concern from you for the Filipinos here in Ireland.

‘I know this is a terrible tragedy not only for the Filipino community but also for yourselves, the Irish society. And we understand that this is an isolated incident and it does not represent the goodness of the Irish people because we believe you are so good to us.

‘I believe in the midst of this tragedy there is light. We can see the beauty of your concern and love for us.’