Breakthrough in case of dumped body

GARDAÍ have a made a breakthrough in the investigation of a drug dealer’s body found dumped in Wicklow’s woods last month.

Bray resident Yohan Verhoeven, 31, had been missing since July last, when he was seen leaving his home. An Irish national with a Belgian father, he had been raised in Ballybrack.

The father-of-two’s remains were found by walkers in a remote area in Sraghmore Woods near Roundwood in early September. During an afternoon stroll, three foreign nationals discovered the decomposed remains in thick undergrowth. His body had been there for two months, gardaí now believe.

Forensic tests on a car and house in Shankill as well as extensive interviews have helped provide detectives with vital information which could soon lead to an arrest.

Mr Verhoeven’s family later said he failed to return from a visit to a house in Rathsallagh Park, Shankill.

Mr Verhoeven, who had a number of convictions and was known to gardaí as a drug dealer, had met two friends involved in drugs on July 11. Gardaí believe a fight ensued about cocaine and during a scuffle, a knife was plunged directly into Mr Verhoeven’s heart. He died from a single stab wound. It is believed his body was placed in a vehicle and dumped in the Wicklow woods, where his killer hoped it would remain undiscovered.

One person is expected to be charged. The breakthrough comes after two people were questioned this week and a file prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The man and woman, in their 30s and from Dublin, were released from garda custody on Thursday night.

The lengthy investigation involved key forensic checks, including the help of a forensic pathologist in dating the death. British forensic entomologist Dr John Marlove was called in by gardaí. Checks in Ballybrack and Carrickmines had also involved aerial searches as well as gardaí combing areas with dog units.

Local garda inspector Pat Murray thanked the public for their information.

“We are very pleased the way the investigation has progressed and a file is being prepared,” he said.