Tests may help solve murder case

Gardaí are hopeful the results of forensic tests on the remains of a man found dead in Co Wicklow at the weekend will help them to solve his murder.

While detectives believe the dead man, Yohan Verhoeven (31), Inagh Court, Ballybrack, Co Dublin, was killed because of his involvement in the drugs trade, they say there are a number of suspects.

The investigation is complicated by the fact that the victim was missing for two months before his remains were discovered by hillwalkers at Sally Gap, Wicklow, last Saturday. Given the rate of decomposition of the body, gardaí believe Mr Verhoeven was killed about the time of his disappearance.

Postmortem results to date indicated the dead man's heart had been punctured when he was stabbed in the chest. However, State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy is to delay the release of the body to enable her to conduct further tests that might reveal more details as to the cause of death.

British forensic scientist Dr John Manlove, who has travelled to Dublin to assist with the investigation, is also carrying out a series of tests which should enable gardaí to determine when the victim was killed and how many times, if any, his remains were moved after death.

Garda sources said he was very active in the drugs trade in the Ballybrack and Dún Laoghaire areas in recent years. While originally from Ballybrack he had been living in Bray with his partner of late. One line of inquiry is that he clashed with a well-known drug dealer in the town. This man believed Mr Verhoeven was trying to establish himself in Bray and after he failed to heed warnings to stop dealing there a decision was taken to attack or kill him.

Gardaí have also been told by sources that the dead man owed money to two drug dealing brothers from the Blanchardstown area.

He was last seen leaving a house at Rathsallagh in Shankill, Dublin, on the morning of Tuesday, July 11th. He was reported missing by his family when he failed to contact them.

Gardaí have appealed for anybody with information to contact them at Wicklow Town Garda station on (0404) 67107.