Body found at scene of Killarney explosion identified

Gardaí have confirmed that the body of the man found at the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Killarney has been identified as that of James Gleeson.

Gardaí had been searching for 59-year-old businessman who owned the launderette that was damaged by the explosion yesterday morning.

Mr Gleeson ran a supermarket and launderette businesses in the town for many years.

"We removed the remains of a male, and that male has been positively identified locally as James Gleeson from Killarney," Sergeant Dermott O Connell told Radio Kerry.

"The remains of James Gleeson were removed from Killarney to Tralee General Hospital, where a post mortem will be carried out."

Mr Gleeson, 59, had been missing since the blast early yesterday morning.

It is understood he was in the business at around 6.30am turning on the machines when the incident happened.

Health and Safety Authority investigators are on site attempting to confirm the cause.

Searches were conducted through yesterday and resumed this morning.

The hazardous state of the building in Kenmore Place had hampered efforts to find Mr Gleeson.