Body Found In Search For Missing IT Tallaght Student, Jastine Valdez

Gardaí have announced the discovery of a body in the search for missing student, Jastine Valdez.

Ms. Valdez, 24, was abducted in Wicklow on Saturday evening in a seemingly random attack. Witnesses say that they saw Ms. Valdez being bundled into the back of a black Nissan Qashai.

The car's registration was reported to the police and it was tracked down yesterday evening to a car-park in Cherrywood, South Dublin after being spotted by members of the public near Killiney Dart Station. The car was cornered by Gardaí and Ms. Valdez's supsected abductor, 40 year old Mark Hennessey, was shot dead by a Garda detective.

There was no evidence in Mr. Hennessey's recovered car to give any immediate indicators as to where Ms. Valdez might be. As such, a large-scale search and rescue operation was launched throughout the Rathmichael area of Dublin. The search, involving members of the Gardaí, Defence Forces and Civil Defence, focused largely on the Puckscastle area following the discovery of her purse there this morning.

A body has been found in the area but, as yet, there has been no formal identification given. It is understood the body was discovered in an old mine there this afternoon.