Tests to identify body found in Slaney estuary

The State Pathology Service will this morning begin tests to determine the identity of human skeletal remains found on the shoreline of the inner Slaney estuary in Wexford on Monday.

The bones, which were found lodged in silt by a morning walker in an area known as Kaat's Strand, about 1km north of Wexford Bridge, were removed to Dublin on Tuesday evening.

Gardaí in Wexford have cautioned against speculation about the possible identity of the person. Supt John Roche, who is leading the investigation, said he is awaiting the results of tests by a forensic anthropologist and that currently "no-one has any idea how long the remains were there" or "whether the remains are of a male or a female".

There has been intense speculation in Co Wexford that the remains could be those of Fiona Sinnott, a 19-year-old mother of one who disappeared nine years ago. Ms Sinnott was last seen leaving a pub in the village of Broadway about 10 miles from where the remains were found.

However, last night, Ms Sinnott's uncle, John Sinnott, told The Irish Times: "I'd be surprised if it was Fiona - I don't expect it's her." He believes his niece was murdered and is "buried in the townland of Mullrankin", near Bridgetown, south Co Wexford.