Skeletal remains found submerged in a car in May have been identified as Barry Coughlan, who went missing 17 years ago.
The grim discovery was made three weeks back when a red Toyota was found in the water off Hugh Coveney Pier in Crosshaven, Co Cork.
After numerous DNA tests, investigators confirmed on Wednesday that the remains were identified as belonging to Barry Coughlan.
Barry was last seen in the early hours of May 1 2004, at the former Moonduster Bar in Crosshaven, nearby Hugh Coveney Pier where his car was found.
A Garda spokesman said: "Following DNA analysis, the remains have now been identified as that of Mr. Barry Coughlan who was reported missing to Gardaí in May 2004.
"A file will now be prepared for the Coroner by investigating Gardaí."
The red Toyota Corolla was spotted by volunteer divers from Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery on May 26.
They notified gardai who sealed off the area and launched a search operation involving the water unit the following morning.
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