Garda release photo of body found in case

Garda appeal for help in identifying this man

Gardaí this morning released a photograph of the man who was found in a suitcase in Dublin’s Royal Canal nearly two weeks ago.

At a press conference, Chief Supt Alan McHugh, who is leading the investigation, said the decision to release the photo was not an easy one and he accepted the photo would be distressing for the man’s family and friends.

But he said over 400 lines of inquiry had failed to identify the man since the body was found in a black nylon suitcase by children on July 20th at Binn's Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin, near Croke Park.

The Garda today admitted the lack of progress prompted the unusual decision to publish the picture.

The Garda said the victim had brown, wavy hair; was between 25 and 40 years of age; was five feet, 10 inches tall and weighed 10-and-a-half stone.

Chief Supt McHugh said the man had been killed by at least five blows to the back of the head. He said the body could have been in the water for up to five days.

The deceased was wearing a dark red leather jacket with a "worry stone" in the pocket, a black long-sleeved v-necked Tee-shirt and beige trousers sized 32R. He was not wearing shoes.

Chief Supt McHugh said they had failed to match the man’s description with that of 50 reported missing persons in the State. Despite continuing speculation the victim might be a foreign national, Interpol has been unable so far to identify him.

He said 1,900 dentists in the State had been contacted to compare dental records. The deceased had two crowns on the upper right-hand side - work that gardaí believe was done in Ireland or Britain.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the freephone number 1800 218 219.