Skeletal remains found in a previously undiscovered cave complex near Newport, Co Mayo, have been sent to Dublin for expert examination by anthropologists.
Local outdoor enthusiast Michael Chambers unwittingly stumbled on the cave entrance last week when he spotted an aperture in rocks on a cliff face while observing the movements of a fox.
Mr Chambers, a member of the Nephin Beggars Hillwalking Group, crawled into a tunnel assisted by the light of a mobile phone.
On the following day he brought four or five friends up the mountain and it was then a second cave chamber, which had a collection of bones, was found.
Gardaí attended the scene and the bones were brought to Castlebar and later to Dublin for expert examination.
Westport based Garda Supt Sean Colleran said today: "The bones have been removed from the cave. They will be tested by anthropologist to determine their age and whether they are of human or animal origin."
Archaeologists are expected to carry out a detailed examination of the newly-discovered cave complex, which is located in the townland of Shramore, Newport, in the coming weeks.
