GARDAI have been unable to formally identify the bodies of two people found in a burnt out caravan (above) near the coastal village of Bellurgan in north Louth.
It is expected that dental records will be needed to make a positive identification of the two, believed to be middle aged men from Dundalk.
The fire had been brought under control when it was realised that there were people in the caravan, located near the entrance to a field housing up to a dozen small caravans, less than 100 yards from the shoreline.
Local people said two men, both from Dundalk, had been using the caravan in recent days. They had bought it early this year.
It was initially assumed that neither man was in the caravan when the fire began, close to 11 p.m. on Monday. Local people fried to extinguish the flames while waiting for the fire service to arrive.
One man said there had been a single large flame, reaching 20 feet into the sky.
The men's bodies were found in the caravan, close to a bed. It is believed they may have fallen asleep and were overcome by fumes.
Yesterday, bunches of bright flowers lay on top of blackened boards that had once been the floor of the caravan. Cards attached said they were from family members.
Gardai are not treating the fire as suspicious.