Four locations across two canals are being searched by gardaí investigating the murder of Kenneth O’Brien, following the discovery of body parts at Sallins, Co Kildare.
Gardaí have sent the two sets of remains, which were found on Sunday evening and Monday, to Naas General Hospital for a postmortem.
A sample will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where DNA will be checked for a match with Mr O’Brien.
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His torso was found in a suitcase in the Grand Canal at Ardclough, Co Kildare, on January 16th.
Gardaí are also examining the area around the Ninth Lock on the Grand Canal at Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, in Dublin, and a site on the Royal Canal between Leixlip and Maynooth in Co Kildare.
At a press briefing in Leixlip Garda station on Monday, Chief Supt Barry McPolin said progress in the hunt for Mr O’Brien’s killer or killers was due to “sustained support” from the public.
Supt Gerry Wall of Leixlip Garda station said said more than 300 leads were being followed up. He said “the key” to the investigation would be the discovery of the site where Mr O’Brien was killed.
“This is essential to our investigation. I would say that some person knows where that scene is,” he said. “We’re asking them to bring that information forward, it’s of a considerable importance to our investigation.”
Mr O’Brien, who had a partner and was a father, was last seen early on January 15th when he left his home on the Lealand Road in Clondalkin, saying he was going to work. He was identified using DNA analysis after his killers decapitated him and cut off his arms, hands and feet.
CCTV examination
Investigators are understood to be examining CCTV footage from the Grand Canal Greenway, at the Ninth Lock. Mr O’Brien’s home is a few hundred metres from the lock.
Gardaí said they are anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen something out of the ordinary in the area at any time since January 15th.
The lock and an overhead bridge on the Fonthill Road are overseen by CCTV cameras mounted on a number of poles in the area.
Jordan Henevy, who walks his dogs along the Grand Canal Greenway every day, said it was a popular walking route for “all sorts of people”.
Another walker, Mary O’Donoghue, said that while the cameras would “spot anyone on the canal”, they may not “pick up somebody throwing something from the bridge”.
Gardaí have also appealed to anyone who may have seen something unusual in the area of the Royal Canal opposite the entrance to Carton House since January 15th to come forward.
Gardaí said that stretch of the canal is popular with dog walkers and joggers.
In relation to the findings at Sallins, gardaí said “potential evidential items that may be linked to the investigation of the murder of Kenneth O’Brien” had been discovered.
