Gardaí investigating into the discovery of skeletal remains in Donegal have confirmed that they are human.
The discovery was made yesterday near Ballintra, during a Garda investigation into the disappearance of mother-of-four Ms Dolores McCrea.
The State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, examined the remains this afternoon. They have not yet been formally identified. A detailed forensic examination is to be carried out at the scene.
A murder investigation has not yet been launched and there have been no arrests made. Gardai said they were "keeping an open mind" as to whether the body was that of Ms McCrea.
Gardaí searching for Ms McCrea discovered the remains at a house near Ballintra in south Donegal.
Ms McCrea (36) has not been seen since Tuesday evening when she left her home for nearby Donegal town to take part in a darts match. A search got under way when she failed to turn up for work on Wednesday.
Her children range in age from 18 to four.