Body found in Wicklow woodland

A body has been found in woodland in Co Wicklow today.

Gardaí said the remains were discovered in a forest at Trooperstown near Rathdrum at 10.55am this morning.

Gardaí in the county have been searching for missing criminal Philip O’Toole who vanished more than two weeks ago. The body has not yet been identified.

The father-of-one, whose 33rd birthday was last Monday, has not been seen since leaving the house he was sharing with friends in Arklow, Co Wicklow, on January 7.

Originally from Bray, it is understood he fled his home town after being shot in the stomach in a suspected row between rival drug gangs in August 2011.

The area where the body was found has been sealed off. A forensic examination of the site is to take place and the state pathologist’s office has been notified.