Body of man found in suitcase in Grand Canal is identified by Gardaí

Gardaí have identified the man whose torso was found in a suitcase in a canal in Co Kildare at the weekend as 33-year-old father-of-one Kenneth O’Brien.

The man, who worked as a diesel fitter and JCB operator, had recently returned from Australia and was living on Lealand Road in Clondalkin, west Dublin. He was last seen at his home on Friday morning when he reportedly told his family he was going working ‘down the country’. He was reported missing the following day.

The suitcase containing his body, which had been wrapped in plastic, was spotted in the Grand Canal near Ardclough on Saturday by two people walking along the bank.

Gardaí were able to identify the remains after a worried relative made contact and submitted to a DNA test.

Results of this test were returned yesterday afternoon and confirmed the body was that of Mr O’Brien. After his family had been notified, Gardaí held a briefing at Leixlip Garda Station and appealed for anyone who had seen Mr O’Brien on Friday or Saturday, or who might have been in the Ardclough area at the weekend, to come forward.

Superintendent Gerry Wall said Mr O’Brien had been a normal man, a family man, who had been brutally murdered.

Anyone with information can contact Leixlip Garda Station on 01 666 7800.