An investigation has begun to determine the identity of skeletal human remains found yesterday morning. The discovery was made at Kaat's Strand, Co Wexford, at about 10am.
The bones were found near the River Slaney close to Wexford bridge. Gardaí were last night checking missing persons' records in the area from recent years in an effort to draw up a shortlist of possible identities.
However, sources said the remains were in a completely skeletal form and may have been at the location covered in sand for many years.
Gardaí were notified immediately the remains were found and they alerted the State Pathologist.
The remains were removed last night to the State Pathologist's office in Dublin, where a series of tests will be carried out in coming days. It is hoped the tests will determine the age of the remains, cause of death and identity of the deceased.
The spot where the remains were found is about 10 miles north of the village of Broadway where Wexford teenager Fiona Sinnott was last seen alive almost nine years ago.
The 19-year-old mother of one has been missing, presumed dead, since February 8th, 1998, when she was last seen drinking in Broadway.
She was seen at closing time leaving Butler's pub with her ex-partner and father of her baby daughter, Seán Carroll. Their daughter Emma, now 10 years old, was 11 months when her mother disappeared.
Mr Carroll told gardaí at the time that he spent the night at Ms Sinnott's cottage in Ballycushlane, Co Wexford.
He said when he left the next morning Ms Sinnott was at the house.
Despite extensive searches in the area and digs of specific locations her remains were never found.
