Gardai take DNA samples from washed-up leg in bid to identify body

Gardai have taken DNA samples from part of a leg which was washed up on a Donegal beach yesterday.

The leg was found by a walker at Magheragallon Strand in Gaoth Dobhair around noon.

A full search operation was then conducted involving Gardai, members of Bunbeg lifeboat and the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo.

However, no other human remains have been found at this stage and the search has been stood down.

Gardai Superintendent David Kelly told Donegal Daily that the recent force of Storm Denis may have had an influence on how the body part ended up on a Donegal beach.

He said he could not say for operational reasons if the leg was that of a male or female.

He did say “The coroner was advised of the find and DNA samples have now been taken from the leg and have been sent for analysis.

“The results of those tests will determine the future course of the investigation.”