PSNI officers fail to identify body found in canal

DETECTIVES in the North investigating the disappearance of a man thought to have been abducted by the IRA, last night, said they have been unable to formally identify a body recovered from a canal.

However, police confirmed the car in which the body was found belonged to Gareth O’Connor who has not been seen since leaving his home in Armagh City in May 2003.

A PSNI spokeswoman said a post-mortem examination failed to identify the body or establish the cause of death.

Police said it could be some time before the remains are identified.

A spokeswoman said: “At this point formal identification of the body and the cause of death are undetermined.

“Police will now attempt to identify the body via dental records or DNA, however, this may take some time.”

The spokeswoman added: “Police are continuing to investigate the theory that the body is that of Gareth O’Connor as the vehicle recovered has now been confirmed to be his.

“His family have been advised accordingly.”

Mr O’Connor was reported missing after he failed to report to Dundalk police station as part of his bail conditions.

He had been charged with membership of the IRA.

Police search teams, including an underwater unit, spent several hours yesterday searching the Newry Canal before recovering Mr O’Connor’s blue Volkswagen Golf.

It is understood that the search operation, off the Omeath Road, was sparked following intelligence received by detectives probing the disappearance.

Police believe the 24-year-old was abducted and murdered after being kidnapped by the IRA.

Searches on both sides of the border failed to reveal the whereabouts of Mr O’Connor.

In September 2003, the IRA issued a statement denying they had killed the Armagh man.