It is understood the man whose body was found in Co Offaly this morning was only released from prison last month.
Gardaí are appealing for information following the discovery of the body near a burned out caravan close to Clara this morning.
It is understood the man, who was aged in his 40s, is believed to have suffered a violent death.
The discovery of the man's body was made at around 8.45am this morning in an open area in Kilbride outside Clara in Co Offaly.
The remains were located in a drain near a burned out caravan.
The State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a preliminary examination on the body this afternoon, before it was removed to the Midlands Regional Hospital for a full post mortem which will determine how he died.
A team from the Garda Technical Bureau has also examined the scene which remains sealed off.