Dental records may be used to confirm identity of body found in burnt-out car

Emergency services attended the scene following a report of a vehicle on fire on the Killeek Bridge shortly after 11am on Monday. 

DNA or dental records may have to be used to confirm the identity of a person found dead in a burning car in Dublin.

The badly burned body was discovered after gardaí and the fire service responded to a call out relating to a car on fire on Killeek Bridge, Killeek Lane in the Swords area of north county Dublin at around 11am on Monday.

Garda sources said that investigators have to “determine now exactly what we are dealing with”.

It is understood that while the possibility of it being a suspicious death is being examined, other theories being considered include whether the incident was suicide.

“We just don’t know,” said one source.

He discounted reports that the body was dismembered but said that the body was badly burned. The body remained at the scene.

The source said: “It is unlikely that there will be fingerprints, but possibly dental records or DNA will be used [to identify the remains]. The chances are that we will be able to have suspicions as to who it may be at an earlier stage, but it is more likely that it will be either dental or DNA records to confirm exactly who it is.” 

The area has been sealed off for an examination of the scene by the Garda Technical Bureau.

A statement from the Garda press office said: “An Garda Síochána and emergency services attended the scene following report of a vehicle on fire on the Killeek Bridge, Killeek Lane, north County Dublin shortly after 11am on Monday October 6th 2025.

"The Dublin Fire Brigade put out the fire and human remains were found.

"The person's body remains at the scene and a post mortem will be carried out which will determine the nature of the investigation. Investigations are ongoing. An Garda Síochána have no further comment at this time."