The authorities in Morocco have confirmed that they believe the remains of a man found buried in an industrial suburb of Tangier are that of an Irish man who went missing almost two months ago.
Four Moroccans were arrested earlier this week in connection with the disappearance of Dublin-born Andrew Sheehan.
Mr Sheehan, who is believed to have been in his late 40s, vanished in early May. The director of two Tangier-based textile companies, he had lived in the city for about 20 years and had married a local woman. His wife is understood to have reported his disappearance four days after he was last seen on May 8th.
In a statement issued yesterday, Tangier's prosecutor general said Mr Sheehan had been murdered by criminals intending to seize his assets through fraud.
"The body of the victim was found buried in a Tangier suburb and was exhumed in the presence of forensic experts and prosecutors," the statement said. The date of the exhumation was not given but an autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.
According to reports in Tangier, detectives are examining the possibility that Mr Sheehan's kidnappers planned to seize his assets by forcing him to sign over his two companies to them.
One of the men arrested this week had a paper, allegedly signed by the victim, giving them control of the businesses.
Police are investigating whether the signature was forged or whether it was obtained under pressure before Mr Sheehan was murdered. Two of the four men detained in connection with the crime are police officers, sources in Morocco said. According to a police source in Tangier, one of the police officers arrested had been working on the case.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Irish officials had been in close contact with Mr Sheehan's family and authorities in Morocco since he was reported missing.