30/07/2010

Man's Skull Found In Wicklow

A forensic anthropologist has been called to the scene of the discovery of a man's skull in County Wicklow.

Gardai are investigating the discovery made in Manor Kilbride, Blessington. The skull is believed to be that of an adult male and has been removed from the scene for examination by the State Pathologists Office.

The remains were discovered at 1.20pm on July 29, by workmen clearing a wooded area on private land at Manor Kilbride. The area remains sealed off and a search and forensic exanination is being carried out.

Sniffer dogs from the Garda Dog Unit are also searching the area around where the skull was found.

A Garda spokesman said staff from the State pathologist's office would today examine the skull.

Meanwhile today, teams searching for a man who disappeared near the Irish border almost 30 years ago have found human remains.

Father-of-five Charles Armstrong, 57, from Crossmaglen, south Armagh, went missing on his way to Mass in 1981.

He is one of the 14 men and women abducted and killed by republican paramilitaries at the height of the violence in Northern Ireland. Five bodies of the group of 14, who are also known as "The Disappeared" have so far been recovered.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains last night said the remains were found in Co Monaghan. No further details were revealed.

Mr Armstrong's family has been informed, along with the Garda and the State Pathologist.

(DW/GK)

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