Gardaí have confirmed that the skeletal remains found at a house at Ballybulgen, Ballintra, Co Donegal, are human.
Chief Supt Noel White has said the gardaí are keeping an open mind on whether the remains are those of Dolores McCrea, who has been missing from Ballybulgen since last Tuesday night.
He said the remains had yet to be identified and a detailed forensic examination will now be carried out. He could not say how long this would take.
Chief Supt White said the gardaí were not conducting a murder investigation at this stage and that no arrests had been made.
He appealed for anyone with information about the disappearance of Mrs McCrea to contact the gardaí in Donegal Town.
In particular, he said, gardaí are appealing for information about a silver-coloured car that Mrs McCrea was reportedly seen getting into at Ballybulgen on the evening that she went missing.
