A body has been found in the search for missing 24-year-old Jastine Valdez from Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

Investigators discovered remains next to Pucks Castle golf course, not far from where a purse believed to belond to Jasmine was discovered earlier today.

Gardai have been searching an area in Rathmichael, Co Dublin this morning as part of their investigations into her disappearance.

There has been no confirmation of the identity of the body yet.

Mark Hennessy buying new Nissan Qashqai

A garda spokesman said: "Gardai investigating the disappearance of 24-year-old Jastine Valdez have discovered the body of a female in the Puckscastle area.

"The body has not been formally identified.

"Gardaí wish to thank the public, the media, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence for their assistance in this investigation."

Scene as shots fired in Cherrywood in missing woman search

Areas including 'the scalp' and a walk on Killiney Hill remain cordoned off while a Garda helicopter has been combing the area.

It’s understood gardai are searching the area after studying the suspect’s car computer.

The Defence Forces and the Civil Defence are helping with the search.

Gardai issued a statement earlier today looking to speak to anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area of Puckscastle Lane and Kiltiernan Lead Mines, Rathmichael, from 6pm last Saturday 19 May 2018 to 8pm Sunday 20 May 2018.

The statement read: "Gardaí are looking to speak to any persons who may have observed suspicious activity in the area of Puckscastle Lane and Kiltiernan Lead Mines, Rathmichael, from 6pm last Saturday 19th May 2018 to 8pm Sunday 20th May 2018. Anyone with information, however insignificant should contact Bray Garda Station on 01 6665300, Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station."

Dad-of-two Mark Hennessy was blasted in the head and arm as he confronted officers with a knife in the Cherrywood area of Dublin – 24 hours after abducting Jastine Valdez.

Armed officers swooped on a business site car park where they were confronted by Hennessy, armed with a knife.

They shot the dad of two in his 40s from Woodbrook Lawn in Bray, Co Wicklow, in the head and arm. But there was no sign of Jastine, although there was evidence she had been in the car.

The horrific incident began in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, on Saturday at 6.15pm and has caused a desperate search.

(Image: Eleanor Barlow/PA Wire)

Gardai have appealed for the public to help them find Jastine, a Filipino national living in Enniskerry.

She was last seen leaving her home on Saturday but witnesses have told gardai they saw her being bundled into the black Nissan Qashqai. The car is understood to be registered to a woman living in the general Bray area but was being driven by a man at the time. It was not stolen – gardai have spoken to the owner.

A source also revealed other witnesses observed the young woman in trouble at a number of locations.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bray Garda Station 01 6665300 the Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.