‘Jastine, I am sorry that our country let you down’

There were few tears, just stunned silence, as student Jastine Valdez, 24, lay in repose.

In an open casket and dressed in a white blazer and dusky pink scarf, Jastine lay in repose in Bray, Co Wicklow yesterday afternoon, where members of the public was invited to express their condolences.

On a blistering hot day, the Irish Filipino community travelled from far and wide to pay their respects to the young student who was abducted and murdered this day last week.