Gardaí have renewed an appeal for information about the discovery of human body parts among waste at a recycling plant in Dublin in July.
The identity of the deceased and the location where his dismembered body was initially dumped have not yet been established despite an extensive investigation.
Gardaí say the victim was a European male aged between 25 and 45 who had surgery to reduce brain swelling following a severe brain injury in the past. He was between 5 ft 8in and 6ft in height.
A lower leg and foot were first found by workers at Thornton’s waste facility in Ballyfermot on July 31st. Part of an upper leg was found the following day.
Subsequent searches of tonnes of waste yielded further body parts but gardaí did not reveal details so as to “protect the integrity of the investigation” and as a sign of sensitivity to the victim’s family.
“Two of the lines of enquiry being pursued relate to the presence of red franking ink ribbon, and acetic acid on the remains,” gardaí said in a statement.
The statement said the ribbon was the sort used in a “SM 26 Franking Machine”.
Gardaí also said a postmortem determined that the remains had been “contaminated with acetic acid”.
“This chemical is widely used domestically as in vinegar and food preservatives, and industrially as in textile printing, dyes, photographic chemicals, pesticides, rubber and plastics. Acetic acid is a toxic chemical with a pungent smell,” the statement added.
Gardaí are keen to speak to anyone who is concerned about a family member or friend they have been unable to contact since July, particularly if that person had surgery following a brain trauma.
They would also like to speak to people who disposed of or who know about the disposal of a franking ink ribbon in the last week of July.
Members of the public who noticed “an unusually strong vinegary smell” near their home or place of work during July are also asked to contact Ballyfermot Garda station on (01) 6667200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.