Gardai believe a climber who was found dead on the summit of Croagh Patrick could have been there overnight.
Gardaí are appealing for help to identify the man, whose remains were discovered by a group at about noon today.
It is believed the victim, aged in his mid-60s, died on the Co Mayo site of pilgrimage after a fall.
He had several fractures on both legs when examined by a paramedic lowered from the Sligo-based coastguard helicopter.
Gardaí said the man could have been at the scene since Thursday.
A postmortem examination will be held to determine the cause of death, which is suspected to be hypothermia or a heart attack.
A coastguard spokesman said weather conditions were so blustery during the operation members of Mayo Mountain Rescue team and gardaí had to climb The Reek to recover the man's body.
“The helicopter was proceeding to lift gardaí to the scene but because of the weather conditions they had to abort the mission,” he said. “The weather was horrendous. The helicopter crew said it was very dangerous for them. There were severe winds.”