Skeletal remains have been found at a house in Youghal, Co Cork, by gardaí investigating the murder of 45-year-old Tina Satchwell, who has been missing since 2017.
The remains, which were discovered at Ms Satchwell's home, have not been identified as of yet, but gardaí are satisfied they are human remains.
A man has been arrested in Youghal in connection with the investigation.
The remains were discovered during a search yesterday evening.
They have been removed to Cork University Hospital, where they will be subject to further examination, including DNA analysis.
Gardaí moved a hearse onto the cordoned-off site around Ms Satchwell's home this afternoon, which left after ten minutes.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster and Forensic Anthropologist Dr Laureen Buckley left the search site around 15 minutes before the hearse arrived.
Both spent several hours at the site this morning and afternoon, along with members of the Garda Technical Bureau.
This afternoon, Garda Superintendent Adrian Gamble of Midleton Garda Station said that a technical examination at her home is continuing.
He also said that a second search at a site between Youghal and Killeagh in Co Cork has been completed.
Supt Gamble said they are continuing to investigate "all the circumstances" surrounding the murder of Ms Satchwell.
The search at the house followed the arrest of a man on suspicion of the murder of Ms Satchwell on Tuesday.
That man was released without charge last night, after he was questioned for 24 hours at Cobh Garda Station.
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Ms Satchwell was reported missing on 24 March 2017.
Last March, on the sixth anniversary of her disappearance, gardaí renewed their appeal for the public's help.
Supt Gamble said that his thoughts and those of the investigation team are with Ms Satchwell's family at this difficult time.
"Again, I appeal to any person who may have information on the murder of Tina Satchwell, no matter how insignificant you may think that information is, to contact the investigation team at Midleton Garda Station," he added.
