Man is shot by gardaí searching for missing 24-year-old student Jastine Valdez

A man in his 40s has been shot by gardaí investigating the whereabouts of missing student Jastine Valdez.

The shooting took place on Sunday evening in the Cherrywood area of south county Dublin. The man, a father-of-two and living in Bray, Co Wicklow, has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition. Gardaí had been searching for the driver of a black Nissan in relation to the disappearance of the 24-year-old. Sadly, there is no update on the whereabouts of missing Jastine. A resident who lives nearby to Cherrywood told Her.ie: "There were suddenly loads of sirens audible and rescue helicopters overhead. "It all seemed pretty dramatic." On Saturday, gardaí issued an appeal for information; Jastine's family reported her missing just a few hours after several witnesses reported seeing a female being forced into a car in Enniskerry. Jastine is described as being around 5ft in height, of slight build with long black hair and brown eyes. When last seen, she was wearing a dark coloured jacket, white t-shirt, grey leggings and runners. An incident room has been set up by gardaí in Bray, and they are appealing for anyone with information to contact them: Bray Garda Station 01-666-5300; the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111, or any Garda Station.