A skull found in Dublin on Wednesday has been confirmed as human.
Tests were carried out on the remains by a forensic anthropologist following its discovery by workmen in a field near Malahide.
Further examination is ongoing to try and establish the identity of the person, although the sex was confirmed as male.
Gardaí have continued to cordon off the area with wider searches ongoing and gardaí are tracing records of missing persons.
A man was carrying out clearance work using a JCB and discovered the skull in Waterside at about 4pm.
He stopped the excavation work on the land, which is privately owned, and contacted gardaí.
The area, which is near Swords Road,remained sealed off overnight.