Gardai investigate grim discovery of human skull in garden of west Cork home

An investigation has been launched following the discovery of partial human remains during renovations of a property in west Cork.

Gardai say the remains, believed to be a human skull, were found in the garden of a house near the village of Eyeries on the Beara Peninsula on Good Friday.

The scene, close to the fishing town of Castletownbere, has been preserved pending an examination by a pathologist, which will determine the nature of the garda investigation.

"Gardaí were alerted to the discovery of partial human remains at a location near Eyeries, Co Cork on Friday, April 18," a spokesperson confirmed.

"The scene is currently preserved pending technical examination. The remains, believed to be a human skull, were removed for further examination and DNA analysis," they added.

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Gardai say their enquiries are ongoing and that no further information is available at this time.

While there has been no further garda comment, it's understood the remains were found in a plastic bag during excavation works using a mini-digger.

It is expected the services of a forensic anthropologist will be required to help determine if the skull is that of a man, woman or child and how long it has been at the location.

It's understood a number of people have lived at the isolated property over the last 40 years and gardaí have begun the process to identify those who have lived there.

Neither the age nor the origin of the remains are known at this stage, but gardai believe they may have been there for a lengthy period of time.