Updated 12.30pm
A NUMBER OF garda units and members of the Defence Forces have narrowed the search for missing woman Jastine Valdez to a disused golf course and lead mines in south county Dublin.
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information on the missing 24-year-old woman this morning, after the man wanted in connection with her disappearance was shot dead by gardaí last night.
Jastine Valdez was last seen in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow on Saturday afternoon. This morning, gardaí have sealed off an area off Killiney Hill in south Dublin as part of their search.
In their latest appeal issued just after noon today, they asked anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in the Puckscastle Lane and Kiltiernan lead mines areas of Rathmichael between Saturday evening and Sunday evening to contact them.
It is understood the young woman’s purse and ID were located at the disused golf course at Puck’s Castle Lane. The garda water unit and dog unit have both joined the search as well as a number of members of the Defence Forces. More than 100 personnel are believed to be involved in the search.
A public appeal was made for information early yesterday, including details of an incident where gardaí were informed of a female pedestrian being forced into a car on the R760 road.
The public were warned not to approach the black Nissan Qashqai with registration 171 D 20419, but urged to call the gardaí immediately if they saw the car.
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Superintendent Paul Hogan from Bray Garda Station said: “We’re extremely concerned for her welfare and her safety.”
Hogan also said that gardaí had “an idea” who the registered owner of the car is but want to clarify who had been driving the car on Saturday.
It was then at around 8pm yesterday that gardaí were called to a location at Cherrywood Business Park where the car used in the alleged abduction was located.
It’s then that gardaí shot a man who later died of his injuries. It’s understood that the man was armed with a knife before he was shot. A large garda presence converged on the scene and it was closed off.
It’s also understood that the man who died was a father-of-two. Gardaí have not established a connection between this man and Jastine Valdez and believe the attack was random.
It has been confirmed that GSOC will investigate the incident.
As of this morning, Jastine is still missing.
The student, who is originally from the Philippines, is described as approximately 5ft in height, of slight build, with long black hair and brown eyes. When last seen she was wearing a dark jacket, white t-shirt, grey leggings and runners.
Gardaí are still keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the car in question from Saturday evening onwards.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Bray Garda Station on 01 666 5300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
With reporting from Órla Ryan, Garreth MacNamee, Paul Hosford and Michelle Hennessy.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say