A preliminary examination of the human remains found at the rear of a house in Galway has been conducted.
Gardaí said tonight that state pathologist Dr John Harbison had conducted an initial examination of the remains but a full post-mortem was needed to determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile Gardaí in the area were continuing their investigations into the discovery in a garden of an unoccupied house in Upper Salthill.
A human skull was discovered during building work at the house yesterday.
Gardaí were called and later discovered a human torso wrapped in a sleeping bag at Claregalway, seven miles away, where debris from the work was being dumped.
Detectives were unable to say whether the body had any injuries or what sex the person was. The sleeping bag was apparently tied with a piece of nylon and appeared to have been buried in a two foot-deep grave.
It is thought the remains had been there for at least two years. The house had been empty for several years, but police believe it was used for drinking parties in the past.
A Garda spokesman said detectives could not immediately presume foul play.
PA