Gardaí in Co Kerry are trying to trace the owner of a prosthetic hip joint found in the bottom of a famous fishing lake and are hoping a serial number will reveal the identity.
The ball-and-socket item was found by a diver at the bottom of Lough Currane near Waterville.
The salmon and trout lake is regarded as the best sea trout fishery in Ireland and is favoured by international anglers and celebrities.
Famous names such as Charlie Chaplin and golfers Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara and the late Payne Stewart have fished there.
A search was being conducted for bait and equipment lost from the boat of a local ghillie when the object was recovered.
It was mistaken at first for a ball-and-socket attachment, such as those attached to a trailer or a pipe fitting. However, last Friday it was realised the object was a hip joint and gardaí were alerted.
Gardaí in Cahersiveen are now hoping the serial number on the joint will help them solve the mystery.
The investigation is not criminal, but rather one of tracing lost property.
Local councillor Norma Moriarty said people are "intrigued", adding that it is the talk of south Kerry.
"There’s great local interest," she said, "gardaí are hoping the serial number will be able to add clarity".
Locally, people are speculating who the item might belong to, saying a lot of French, German and British anglers come to Waterville year after year to fish, with one theory pointing to it being deliberately placed in the lake by loved one.
