THE identity of the human remains found in a Cork wood two weeks ago should be made known shortly, Garda sources said yesterday.
It has been speculated that the remains, including a severed skull, severed limbs and a torso, are those of Mr Patrick O'Driscoll (32), one of three men who disappeared from Cork two years ago.
Mr O'Driscoll was last seen alive in December, 1994.
The others were Mr Cathal O'Brien (23), of Wexford, and Mr Alan Ball (42), an Englishman who had been living in Cork. They vanished in April of the same year, leaving behind uncashed social welfare cheques. The three men knew each other and lived occasionally at 9 Wellington Terrace, a low rent apartment building on the outskirts of the city.
Despite the speculation, senior gardai in Cork have refused to say if the remains have been positively identified. Mr O'Driscoll, who had one eye and a steel plate inserted in his skull following a car accident, would be easy to identify. But Chief Supt Adrian Culligan said last week that detailed tests would be carried out on the body parts to ensure that the identity of the victim was absolutely clear.
As well as a post mortem examination conducted by pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, other tests involving forensics, dental and fingerprint experts, are being concluded.
A local priest conducted the last rites at Lotabeg, on the eastern outskirts of Cork two weeks ago, before the remains were taken to the Cork University Hospital for examination.
The sister of the missing man, Ms Jean Bailey has always claimed that he died violently because he knew "a terrible secret". She went to the scene and said the family would be greatly relieved if Patrick's remains could finally be laid to rest.
Last month, a Cork man, Mr Frederick Flannery, of no fixed abode, appeared at the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin, charged with Mr O'Driscoll's murder. The case collapsed when the trial judge, Mr Justice Barr, ruled that critical Garda evidence was not presented to the defence.
He further ruled that Mr Flannery could not be re tried in connection with Mr O'Driscoll's death.
The finding of the body parts by a man walking his dog two weeks ago has, in spite of the ruling, opened the possibility that the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal the decision of the court to the Supreme Court.
While the DPP's office has confirmed that the matter is under consideration, Chief Supt Culligan said in Cork yesterday that the Garda authorities had received no indication as to the final course of action. He confirmed that senior gardai in the city had been in touch with the DPP but added that the ultimate decision was in his hands.
Meanwhile, the intensive search of Lotabeg continues for other bodies.