Gardaí have confirmed skeletal remains found at a house in Co Louth on Wednesday are human remains.
Gardaí have sealed of the scene at Mary Street north, Dundalk, where the discovery was made by builders renovating a house.
Informed sources said it was unclear when the remains date from. However, the find was being treated as a potential crime.
A major inquiry to try and establish the identity of the deceased was under way last night.
A forensic anthropologist carried out a preliminary examination on Wednesday. Forensic anthropologists have been used in the past to confirm whether skeletal remains are human and how long they date back.
Garda sources said there was no indication from the remains how long they had been there or the manner of death.
Gardaí were alerted to the discovery shortly after 5pm. They have attended the scene and have contacted the local Coroner.
Gardaí said no further information is available at this time and they have opened a line of enquiry.
