A body has been found on Bray Head by gardaí searching for a 78-year-old woman who went missing three years ago.
An initial examination by a doctor suggests that the remains are those of an elderly adult.
The body will remain at the scene until tomorrow morning when it will be examined by the Deputy State Patholigist Dr Michael Curtis.
Gardaí say it is too early to say if the remains are those of missing woman Maura Reynolds, who disappeared from a nursing home on Christmas night 2005.
The 78-year-old suffered from Alzheimer's disease and was staying at the Tara Care Centre on Putland Road in Bray.
She returned there on Christmas night 2005 after spending the day with her family, but subsequently went missing from the nursing home. She was never found and is presumed dead.
The owners of the Tara Care, Centre Paul and Anne Costello, subsequently pleaded guilty to breaching nursing home regulations and were fined €1,000 each at Bray District Court.
However the garda investigation into her disappearance remains open and this afternoon human remains were found on Bray Head.
The discovery was made in thick undergrowth around 100m from the nearby car park. The area has been sealed off and the State Pathologist's office.
Gardaí still do not know whether they have discovered the remains of Mrs Reynolds but her family has been informed.
They are taking a cautious approach and that it may take some time before the person has been identified.
