Dead body was found in sleeping bag in Dublin

The body of a man has been found in Phoenix Park in Dublin.

The grim discovery was made at approximately 1am near Wellington Road.

The scene has been sealed off for a forensic examination and the offices of the State Pathologist has been notified with experts scheduled to attend the scene this morning.

Gardaí in Cabra have appealed for witnesses in the area to come forward.

The dead man was discovered in a sleeping bag in an area near the Wellington Monument.

The victim, who has not yet been identified, appears to have died from burns caused by his sleeping bag catching fire.

Gardaí are trying to establish if the fire was caused accidentally, possibly by a cigarette, or if the sleeping bag was set alight deliberately.

The exact cause of death will not be confirmed until a post mortem is carried out later.