Canal murder: gardaí search house in west Dublin

Gardaí investigating the murder of Kenneth O’Brien, whose torso was found in the Grand Canal, Co Kildare, are searching the house in west Dublin where he lived.

The Garda Technical Bureau has been carrying out an examination of the residence in Clondalkin on Wednesday.

This phase of the murder inquiry is expected to continue for the remainder of the day. A number of items have also been taken from the house for examination by gardaí.

The Garda team is still trying to establish why anybody would have wanted Mr O’Brien (33) dead. Mr O’Brien’s body was discovered in a suitcase in the Grand Canal on Saturday.

He had been living in Australia and was working there as a mechanic until last month while his partner and the couple’s young son remained in the Republic.

It’s understood he was living with them in Clondalkin, Dublin, since his return from Australia until his disappearance last week.

Witnesses told gardaí Mr O’Brien had informed family members he was “going down the country” for a short period to work.

However, when efforts to contact him by phone on Thursday and Friday failed, a member of his extended family reported him missing.

After the torso was found on Saturday, gardaí suspected it may have been that of Mr O’Brien.

DNA samples were taken from family members and confirmed the partial remains taken from the canal close to Celbridge were those of Mr O’Brien, who was originally from Ballyfermot, west Dublin.

His lower limbs and head have not yet been recovered, though searches are continuing in Dublin and Kildare. Detectives believe Mr O’Brien may have been dismembered using machinery or power tools.

Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan on Wednesday expressed her sympathies with Mr O’Brien’s family, and said his killing was gruesome.

“I would like to take the opportunity to appeal to anybody that may have information no matter how small or unimportant they may think it is. We are very anxious to hear from anybody that has any information they can offer to help us identify the perpetrators of this awful crime.”

Mr O’Brien was not known to gardaí apart from some minor traffic violations and had returned to the Republic from Australia in December.

He had a partner and children who were said by gardaí to be “devastated and grief-stricken” last night.

Supt Gerry Wall said on Tuesday evening there was currently “no indication” as to why Mr O’Brien was killed. “It is a particularly gruesome crime and the brutality of it cannot be overstated in respect of how a human being has been treated,” he said.

He said there was “no evidence” to suggest Mr O’Brien was in fear of his life. “This was a very normal man going about his business, pursuing his employment, trying to get some work, and he has been brutally murdered.”

He said Mr O’Brien, who worked as a JCB driver and a diesel fitter, was last seen alive on Friday morning.

“He explained to his family that he was going to carry out some work down the country,” said Supt Wall. “He wasn’t seen or heard from since.

“By virtue of the fact he was last seen in Clondalkin, it is an area that is of particular interest to us. We don’t have any mode of transport for him. If people did see him in a car or on a bus, it would be of assistance to us.”

Mr O’Brien was described as 6ft2in, of stocky build, with a beard. Detectives have renewed their appeal for information.