What appeared to be a human torso discovered on a Kerry beach more than a week ago and taken away in a hearse is now believed to be the remains of a dolphin or small whale.
The "torso" was discovered on Banna Strand by walkers on the afternoon of Saturday, September 8th, and gardaí were called to the scene.
Senior gardaí in Co Kerry confirmed yesterday that a preliminary medical examination at the scene determined that it could have been a human body - without a head or limbs. However, this has proved not to be the case and gardaí were now satisfied they were dealing with an animal, though it had not been determined exactly what type.
The remains were in poor condition but still had some flesh. A hearse was dispatched to bring the remains to the morgue at Kerry General Hospital in Tralee, and coroner Terence Casey was informed about the discovery of the "torso".
Arrangements were made for the Cork-based Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster, to carry out a postmortem the next day, Sunday, September 9th.
However, when Dr Bolster arrived at the hospital to examine the remains, she recognised that they were not human.
The problem of disposal then arose and the county pound was alerted.
Kerry county veterinary officer Paddy Fenton said yesterday that the remains, most likely those of a mammal such as a dolphin or small whale, had been picked up by officers of the pound and had been sent for rendering "as category-one waste".
It is understood that this means the fishy remains will end up in Germany for incineration and use as a fuel.