Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis yesterday carried out a preliminary investigation on a body discovered in a picturesque rural area overlooking the shores of Lough Derg near Ballina, Co Tipperary.
Gardaí have launched a full investigation after the badly decomposed body was discovered by a local man walking his dog on farmland at Ryaninch on Wednesday evening. The body was found in a remote area beside a hedge behind a wall on a narrow road leading up to a slate quarry.
The scene remained sealed off throughout Wednesday night and yesterday morning as gardaí awaited the arrival of a Garda technical team and Dr Curtis.
Gardaí confirmed they were unable to ascertain the gender of the body due to its badly decomposed state but the indications were that it was that of a man. They also confirmed they were unable to confirm what caused the person's death or how long the person had lain undiscovered.
Supt Tony Kenneally of Killaloe is overseeing the investigation. He said gardaí would be focusing on people on missing lists from the region in a bid to ascertain identity. Initial indications are that the person did not die violently although he said he was awaiting the outcome of the postmortem on the cause of death.
Due to its decomposition, it is expected the body will eventually be identified from dental records. The body was transferred yesterday evening to Limerick Regional Hospital for a full postmortem.
Although gardaí are refusing to speculate on the identity, gardaí did carry out a detailed search of the area following the disappearance of a Limerick man in the region last October.
Ivan Hyde (31), Ashe Avenue, Carew Park, Southill, Limerick, was reported missing on October 29th. He was last seen on the John Carew Road in Limerick. He was wearing white runners, blue denim jeans, a dark pullover top with a zip from the chest up and a white T-shirt inside the pullover. He carried a small rucksack on his back.
Mr Hyde was described as an avid walker who also travelled a lot by taxi and was reported to enjoy visiting the Lahinch and Killaloe areas of Co Clare.
Reports at the time indicated he had been planning to emigrate to America and his family remains extremely anxious over his disappearance. Unsuccessful searches were conducted throughout Limerick and Clare last year following his disappearance.