A major Garda investigation is underway after the discovery of dismembered human remains in Dublin.
On the evening of 30 March 2005, a man walking along a section of the Royal Canal in Dublin close to Ballybough spotted human remains in the water. An Garda Síochána soon established the remains had been dismembered, and the area was sealed off overnight.
A large team of detectives examined the scene at Ballybough Bridge. Specialist officers from several garda units assisted in a search and recovery operation in the water and on the banks of the Royal Canal. The Garda Water Unit searched a large stretch of water and retrieved body parts at two locations.
They've established the remains are those of a man but are no further yet in identifying him.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a full post-mortem examination after the man’s body was removed to Beaumont Hospital.
An Garda Síochána have launched a major criminal investigation led by Chief Superintendent Michael Feehan. He says it is too soon to say how long the body was in the canal water but,
It’s important that anybody who saw anything suspicious down around Ballybough, in the last week, or indeed more than a week ago, if they would come forward and let us know any information that they may have.
As well as the canal crime scene, Gardaí believe there is another crime scene where the man was actually killed. Detectives are appealing for anyone with information or suspicions to contact them in confidence.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 March 2005. The reporter is Barry Cummins.
