TESTS WILL be carried out today in an effort to confirm if badly decomposed human remains found face down in a ditch are those of 17-year-old Dubliner Daniel McAnaspie.
The remains were discovered in a drain on land at Gilliamstown, Rathfeigh, Co Meath, by a farmer at about 3pm yesterday.
A preliminary examination of the body was carried out at the scene by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Khaled Jaber yesterday evening.
The remains were then removed to Connolly hospital, Blanchardstown, for a postmortem, which was due to take place this morning.
Dental records and DNA tests will be used to identify the deceased.
Garda sources said the remains were partly submerged in water. However, they are satisfied the remains are those of a male.
However, it is believed it could be that of the missing teenager, whose family were yesterday contacted by gardaí about the discovery.
Gardaí have long feared he was killed and his remains dumped.
Daniel, from Finglas, has not been heard from since he was seen drinking in a housing estate in Blanchardstown in the early hours of Friday, February 26th.
Extensive Garda searching has been carried out in an effort to find him and a major criminal investigation is ongoing.
Daniel, one of six siblings and whose parents are deceased, has been described as “vulnerable”.
Alan Shatter TD told the Dáil in March the teenager was in State care when he disappeared.
Crimestoppers had offered a €10,000 reward for information that would locate him.
Daniel was seen at about 4.30pm on Thursday, February 25th, close to Erin’s Isle GAA club, Finglas. He then went with friends to Blanchardstown.
He spent a period drinking in a house on Whitestown Avenue. He was last seen on the street with others at 3.30am.