Body find may be linked to blood-stained flat

Detectives are tonight poised to launch a full murder inquiry after discovering a body believed to be that of a man missing from his blood-stained flat.

A post mortem examination is expected to formally identify the remains found in marshy undergrowth outside Ballyduff in Co Kerry yesterday as John McManus.

The 25-year-old, originally from Fermoy, vanished from his flat in Verdon Place on Wellington Road in Cork city’s northside a week ago.

Gardaí on a routine patrol were led to the body yesterday after spotting a man acting suspiciously near a field at Lady’s Walk, on the outskirts of Ballyduff village, near Listowel, in north Kerry.

They pursued the man and seized his car after he was found to have no insurance cover and later returned to the field where they discovered the body.

A man in his 20s was arrested yesterday evening around 7pm in Tralee on foot of an outstanding bench warrant relating to a serious assault in Cork city.

Officers from Tralee are working with detectives from Cork on the case.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster was called in today to carry out a post mortem examination on the body at Cork University Hospital.

It is expected to confirm that Mr McManus was killed and gardaí will officially launch a murder inquiry.

Mr McManus was last seen on October 30 in the Mayfield area of Cork and gardaí who called at his flat on Tuesday believe it was the scene of an assault after finding blood stains on the walls and ceiling.

Garda technical experts examined the flat for forensic evidence while other officers carried out door-to-door inquiries in the neighbourhood.