Updated 8.41 PM
THE BODY OF a man found in a drain outside Clara, Co. Offaly has been removed from the scene and brought to the Midland Regional Hospital for a post-mortem.
Gardaí said this evening that the body has been formally identified as 47-year-old Christy Daly, who was from the area.
The scene at Bog Road in the town has been examined by the State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy with Gardaí confirming that a caravan and two cars were also found burnt out at the location.
The scene is described as being in an isolated area with limited access.
The body of the 47-year-old was found this morning after gardaí carried out a search of Bog Road, Killbride, Clara, County Offaly after concerns for the whereabouts of a missing man.
Gardaí say they are awaiting the results of the post-mortem to determine nature and direction of the investigation.
A garda liaison officer has been appointed and is currently in contact with the family of the deceased but gardaí say they are not in a position to release his identity until all family members have been notified.
Gardaí say that a number of people have already come forward with information and are urging others who may have seen any suspicious or unusual activity at the location in the days before or since Sunday.
Gardaí are also making a specific appeal to anyone who may have witness the burning of the caravan and cars to contact them and say that all information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Anyone who wishes to do so can contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 9327600 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111.
-Additional reporting by Michelle Hennessy and Christine Bohan
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