Body of man found dumped on road at Dunboyne

Gardaí last night launched a suspicious death investigation after a man's body was found dumped by the roadside near the village of Dunboyne in Co Meath yesterday.

The body was discovered by a woman walking her dog at around 4.50 p.m. It was under a tree in a ditch in the townland of Waterstown, on the Dunboyne to Confey road.

The scene, about four miles from Leixlip and two miles from Dunboyne, was sealed off immediately. Garda checkpoints closed off access to the stretch of remote road where the body was discovered.

A team of gardaí from the Garda Technical Bureau were carrying out a full examination of the location last night. The State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, was due to carry out an examination of the remains at the scene last night.

The investigation will not be upgraded to a murder investigation until the cause of death has been established.

One Garda source said it appeared the man had been partially covered and his remains left at the scene. Early indications were that he had died elsewhere and been dumped by the roadside. However, gardaí said the investigation was at a very early stage and they were exploring all possibilities.

The man had sustained severe head injuries but gardaí said they would not be in a position to confirm whether or not he had been shot until Dr Cassidy carried out preliminary investigations. It is understood he had marks on his arms and face, indicating he may have been beaten before he died.

Supt Mick Finnegan of Ashbourne Garda station is heading the investigation. He appealed for the public's assistance in establishing the identification of the dead man.

The victim is described as aged between 30 and 35 years. He was around 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11in in height with short mousy-coloured hair. He was dressed in navy (almost black) tracksuit bottoms, with a navy T-shirt and blue polo shirt. He was not wearing any shoes but was wearing socks.

Anybody with information on the man's identity, or circumstances surrounding his death, is urged to contact Ashbourne Garda station on 01-8351515 or the Garda confidential line on 1-800-666-111.