Gardaí hope DNA will help solve foot mystery

GARDAÍ are to take DNA samples from the families of two men who went missing over 10 years ago to see if they match a body part found in Mayo.

A search of a remote area on the west coast is being carried out after part of a foot, still in its shoe and sock, was discovered by a tourist on Monday evening.

Gardaí are checking missing persons lists and a search is being carried out in the mountainous area of Achill Sound in Mayo.

They are looking for other bones or body parts that may help in identifying the person. Keys, glasses and some money were found near the remains.

Local gardaí said it could take some time before there is a positive identification of the remains, if this is possible.

To establish a cause of death, based on the remains that have been found, would be impossible, gardaí said.

“We don’t have a body, we have part of a foot. If we had a body, it would certainly make it easier to make an identification,” said one local garda.

The tourist found the foot while walking in the hilly Corraun area beyond the village of Mullaranney.

It is understood the keys, glasses and money were found in follow-up searches.

After gardaí were called, the area was sealed off.

The gardaí have been in touch with two local families whose relatives are missing.

DNA samples will be taken from a member of each of those families. They will be compared to a sample from the remains discovered on Monday evening.

Gardaí said these tests could take some time.

Gardaí have contacted the family of Joseph Kelly, who was 28 years old when he went missing 11 years ago from his home in nearby Newport.

His mother said last night it’s not likely the remains are his as her son did not have keys on him when he disappeared and did not wear glasses.

As part of their preliminary investigation, gardaí tested the keys in locks likely to have been used by Mr Kelly.

None of them fitted, though they were badly rusted. A second family, of a man in his 40s, from Achill who went missing around 10 years ago, has also been contacted by gardaí.

A search of the area will continue today as tests are carried out on the foot.