Post mortem fails to identify canal body
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Gareth O’Connor tonight said they have been unable to formally identify a body recovered from a canal.
But police confirmed the car in which the body was found belonged to the missing father-of-two, who has not been seen since leaving his home in Armagh City in May 2003.
A PSNI spokeswoman said a post mortem examination failed to identify the body or establish the cause of death.
Police said it could be some time before the remains are identified.
A spokeswoman said: “At this point formal identification of the body and the cause of death are undetermined.
“Police will now attempt to identify the body via dental records or DNA, however this may take some time.”
The spokeswoman added: “Police are continuing to investigate the theory that the body is that of Gareth O’Connor as the vehicle recovered has now been confirmed to be his.
“His family have been advised accordingly.”
Mr O’Connor was reported missing after he failed to report to Dundalk garda station as part of his bail conditions.
He had been charged with membership of the IRA.
