Note examined to find motive after Valdez disappearance

Jastine Valdez was seen being bundled into a car in Enniskerry on Saturday evening

Gardaí are examining a note found in the black Nissan Qashqai that was used in the disappearance of Jastine Valdez in an effort to establish a possible motive.

It comes as a further appeal for information was issued into the disappearance of the 24-year-old after a body was found by gardaí searching for her earlier today.

The discovery was made by garda search teams in thick gorse land in the Puck's Castle area in south county Dublin.

Some clothing and personal items were also found.

The body has been taken from the scene to the city morgue and a post-mortem to establish the time and cause of death will take place tomorrow.

The State Pathologist has this evening carried out a preliminary examination at the scene.

Gardaí believe the body is that of Ms Valdez, although no formal identification has taken place.

They believe she died within 45 minutes of being abducted.

Gardaí say they wish to speak to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in a number of locations from 19 May at 6pm, until 20 May at 8pm.

The locations are the vicinity of Puck's Castle Lane, Murphy’s Lane, the Lead Mines in Kilternan, as well as the Carrickgollogan Forest Recreation Area.

They are particularly looking to speak to anyone who may have seen the black Nissan Qashqai with registration number 171-D-20419 that gardaí had previously sought.

Gardaí are also seeking assistance from hillwalkers, cyclists or anyone who may have driven through these locations and may be in possession of dashcam footage during the timeframe to contact Bray Garda Station at 01-6665300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.

The body was discovered in an area that was been described as very difficult to access.

The place where the body was found was around 50 metres in from the road. It was only discovered by gardaí when they cut away some of the thick branches.

Ms Valdez's family have been informed of the discovery.

Earlier, her purse and identification card were found.

Witnesses reported seeing Ms Valdez being bundled into a car as she was walking to her home in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, on Saturday evening.

The garda helicopter conducted an aerial search of the area while members of the Defence Forces and Civil Defence were called in to help. This morning, six army trucks arrived at the search site.

A man gardaí had been searching for in connection with the incident was shot dead by a garda in a south Dublin business park last night.

He has been named as Mark Hennessy, a married father-of-two from Woodbrook Estate, Boghall Road in Bray.

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Disappearance of Jastine Valdez

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Ms Valdez being bundled into a dark Nissan Qashqai on the R760 Kilcroney Road near her home in Enniskerry at 6.15pm on Saturday.

The car was seen by a member of the public at 8pm last night in the Cherrywood Business Park in Dublin.

Gardaí were called but the man was armed with a knife and a garda fired a number of shots, fatally injuring the 40-year-old driver.

The car was searched but Ms Valdez was not in it.

The Garda Ombudsman Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.

Meanwhile, prayer services have taken place around the country for the Filipino community following the dissapearance of Ms Valdez. 

In Bray, around 200 people attended a candlelight vigil offering prayers for her family.

Members of the community spoke of how they were deeply saddened by what has happened. 

Prayers were said for the parents of Ms Valdez.

"To the parents, we will support you guys, all the Filipino community will support you."

The family of the man suspected of abducting her was also remembered.

"The family of the late Mark, guide them they are also going through tough times."

Prayer services have taken place around the country following the disappearance of Jastine Valdez. In Bray, around 200 people attended a candlelight vigil and offered prayers to her family pic.twitter.com/LEdQK5J7kb

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 21, 2018