Gardai in Cobh believe the discovery at the weekend of human bones and particles of clothing in Cork Harbour may solve the riddle of a man who has been missing from the greater Cork area for almost a year.
Earlier last week a man's foot, in a size 8 shoe, was washed ashore at Marino Point in the harbour and discovered by a stroller picking periwinkles. The man notified gardai in Cobh, who removed the foot to Cork University Hospital for examination.
Subsequently, a further search was carried out by gardai, and on Saturday the clothing and more human remains were found.
The bones were also taken to the CUH where they were examined by Dr Margaret Bolster, assistant State Pathologist.
According to a Garda spokesman in Cobh, the likelihood is that the remains are those of a man who has been missing for some months, although a positive identification has not yet been made.
The discovery of the remains, the spokesman added, had helped to "significantly narrow down lines of inquiry" and relatives of the missing man had already been informed.
The description of the shoe which contained the foot, was also helpful in making an initial identification.
Members of the Garda Sub Aqua Unit are due in Cobh today to carry out a more intensive search of the harbour area where the remains were washed ashore.
DNA testing will be carried out on both sets of remains to establish a positive match.