A body found in a boarded up house may have lain decomposing for around 20 years, gardai believe.
Officers investigating the grim discovery in Mallow, Co Cork, on Friday found butter in the fridge dating back to 2001.
They were alerted after council staff started clearing out the derelict property on Beecher Street, just yards from a pub, and found skeletal remains in a bed.
READ MORE: Ireland weather: Snow to strike for days as mega -6C Arctic blast engulfs country
Gardai cordoned off the scene around the one-storey dwelling and fire service staff removed the remains to Cork University
Hospital’s morgue.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster was last night due to carry out a postmortem. Gardai do not suspect foul play and it’s believed neighbours thought the man, who was described as reclusive, had moved to England.
Mallow Cllr Liam Madden said the site is one of two boarded up derelict houses on the “very busy” road which links the town to the N20.
He said it was “extraordinary” that the body could have been there undiscovered for two decades.
He added: “I find it hard to imagine. But it has happened before in other towns and villages where someone has been found. If they are local, it’s a very sad reflection that someone didn’t miss this person and say where would that person be.
“The big thing is identification now, it is going to take a long time. In some of these places that are boarded up, people have gone in there to sleep... it could be anyone.
“It’s very sad that there’s some family out there that could be looking for this person.”
Investigators are hoping dental records will confirm the identity of the person.
Officers were carrying out door to door inquiries and plan to check with utility providers to pinpoint the timing of the death.
They are preparing a file for an inquest and have asked anyone with information to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31450.
A spokesman added: “Gardai are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in a house in Mallow, Co Cork, at approximately 12pm, 13th of January 2023.
“The scene has been preserved. Inquiries are ongoing.”
READ NEXT:
- Woman knifed to death in horror bloodbath at Dublin apartment as man tells gardai 'I did it'
- Will snow fall in Ireland this week? Met Eireann update as brutal weather warnings issued
- Lisa Marie Presley death details emerge as 'DNR order' uncovered
- Body found in boarded-up house in Cork may have been there for over 20 years
- RTE Late Late Show has savage five-word comeback for haters after latest episode
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
