Dogged detective work and specially trained cadaver dog key to Cork human remains find

Detectives are now trying to establish if the man was killed at Little Island, and his body transported to the Rostellan area where it was found

Gardaí inspected the area in a shallow channel, just a few yards off the main R630, and found human skeletal remains inside a large heavy canvas-style bag. Picture: Dan Linehan

Dogged detective work and a specialist cadaver dog trained to pick up the scent of death combined to help find the human remains which were dumped in a roadside ditch in East Cork.

While formal identification of the skeletal remains is awaited, DNA and dental records are expected to confirm within the next 48 hours that the remains are those of Kieran Quilligan, 47, who has been missing since last September. 

While formal identification of the skeletal remains is awaited, DNA and dental records are expected to confirm within the next 48 hours that the remains are those of Kieran Quilligan, 47, who has been missing since last September. Picture: Garda Info

His family is being kept informed of developments. 

Gardaí have not commented publicly on the case yet. However, it’s understood that the post-mortem examination on the remains which was conducted at Cork University Hospital confirmed that the man met a violent death.

The investigation is expected to be upgraded from a missing person's case to a full-scale murder probe once the remains are formally identified.

Details emerged last night of how the remains were found during a new and highly focused search operation for Mr Quilligan, who was last seen in Cork city on September 1 last.

Details emerged last night of how the remains were found during a new and highly focused search operation for Mr Quilligan, who was last seen in Cork city on September 1 last. Picture: Dan Linehan

Following an initial investigation of the circumstances of his disappearance last September, gardaí issued a public appeal for information amid growing fears for his safety and wellbeing.

One theory is that Mr Quilligan, who had a heroin addiction, was targeted by members of a criminal gang after he robbed a heroin dealer in the city, was lured to a house in the city, abducted, bundled into a car and driven away from the city centre.

Picture: Dan Linehan

His disappearance led to a major garda search of farmland, water and shoreline in the general Courtstown area of Little Island in late September, with garda divers later searching slurry tanks nearby.

Nothing of significance was found and the sustained search operation was stood down.

But the missing person investigation continued, co-ordinated from an incident room at the Bridewell Garda Station, which has involved the examination of hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, searches of houses in the Mahon and Blackrock areas, and the seizure of several mobile phones.

Arising out of those ongoing enquiries, detectives recently identified several new areas of interest near Rostellan.

They prepared a focused search plan for these areas and requested the assistance of a cadaver dog from another police jurisdiction. These dogs are specially trained to pick up the scent of dead bodies. They can also detect blood and semen.

Kieran Quilligan's disappearance led to a major garda search of farmland, water and shoreline. Picture: Dan Linehan

Gardaí secured logistical support for a week-long search operation and they deployed to the first search sites on Monday.

Within hours, the cadaver dog indicated to its handler that it had found something of interest.

Picture: Dan Linehan

Gardaí inspected the area in a shallow channel, just a few yards off the main R630, and found human skeletal remains inside a large heavy canvas-style bag — similar to the kind used for the disposal of building rubble.

The scene was sealed off for a forensic examination, with the search area widened yesterday. Detectives are now trying to establish if the man was killed at Little Island, and his body transported to the Rostellan area where it was dumped.

Picture: Dan Linehan

Mr Quilligan, who was originally from Bakers Road in Gurranabraher, left his accommodation at Cork Simon’s emergency shelter on Anderson’s Quay at 8.30pm on September 1 last in the company of another man.

Gardaí have been able to establish that he then proceeded to Sullivan’s Quay and on to Proby’s Quay near St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

He was last seen alive on CCTV footage at St Finbarr’s Place, near the cathedral, at around 9.15pm that night.

Picture: Dan Linehan

It shows that he went up the steps at St Finbarr’s Place but there is no sighting of him exiting the steps at the top of St Finbarr’s Place on to Fort Street.

Detectives have spoken to the man who accompanied Mr Quilligan to this area, and they have examined Mr Quilligan’s phone which has shown no activity since September 1.