Gardaí launch murder investigation in Co Meath

A young man whose badly decomposed remains were found in a field was stabbed to death, a post mortem showed tonight.

DNA tests are under way to establish the identify of the victim, who is feared to be missing Dublin teenager Daniel McAnaspie.

A massive search operation has been under way since the 17-year-old disappeared after socialising with friends in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, almost three months ago.

Daniel’s distraught family have made several tearful appeals for information.

Gardaí said the body – found in a drain on farmland at Gilliamstown, Rathfeigh, Co Meath – is believed to be of a man in his late teens or early 20s.

A landowner made the grim discovery yesterday afternoon and the state pathologist and forensic officers were called to the scene.

A garda spokesman confirmed the post mortem showed the victim died as a result of stab wounds.

“Further tests, including DNA, and inquires are under way to establish the identity of the dead man,” he added.

Officers appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Daniel was last seen in the Whitestown area of Blanchardstown between 3.30am and 4am on Friday February 26.

Detectives have admitted they had serious concerns over the teenager’s safety while his family had made tearful appeals for information.

A €10,000 reward has also been offered for any clues which might help them track him down.

Specialist search teams have combed nearby farmland and parks, with the Garda helicopter and sniffer dog units assisting the investigation.

The young people who were in Daniel’s company have also been interviewed by detectives.