A body in a suitcase was taken from the Royal Canal last night at Binn's Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin.
The large suitcase containing what was believed to be a man's body may have been in the water for "about three days", according to Supt Albert Treacy, from Fitzgibbon Street Garda station.
Garda sources said that the body had been bound. A murder investigation has begun following the discovery of the body.
It is believed that the man was aged between 30 and 40.
The scene was preserved overnight to allow for further examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau today.
Supt Treacy, who is heading the investigation, appealed to anyone who may have been in the area and seen anything suspicious three or four days ago to contact gardai.
The black suitcase was spotted in the canal by local children at about 7 p.m.
Two young adults pulled the case to the side of the canal. When they opened it, they discovered the body inside and alerted the emergency services.
Gardai cordoned off the area at about 7.10 p.m. after the emergency services arrived.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out today by the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison.
Speaking at the scene, Insp Frank Moore, of Fitzgibbon Street Garda station, confirmed that the body found in the suitcase was fully-clothed.
Insp Moore said there was "no suggestion" that the body had been mutilated.
He said that gardai had not established the person's identity. "At this stage, we have no idea who it might be."
Gardai were last night checking lists of missing persons in an attempt to establish the identity of the victim.
Crowds of local adults and children were gathered on the bridge and at the side of the canal up to late last night. Some of them suggested that the body was that of a woman.
Insp Moore said that the sex of the victim had not yet been formally established. However, he did not think it was a woman's body.
