Skeletal remains found submerged in a car last month have been identified as those of a man who went missing 17 years ago.
The grim discovery was made in the water off Hugh Coveney Pier, Crosshaven, Co. Cork, reports the Irish Mirror.
DNA tests were then carried out, with authorities confirming on Wednesday that the man was Barry Coughlan.
Barry was last seen in the early hours of May 1 2004 at a bar in Crosshaven near to 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.
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"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.
Divers saw the vehicle resting on its roof on the sea-floor, buried deep in mud and silt, reports say.
They notified investigators who sealed off the area and launched a search operation involving the water unit the following morning.
The gardaí then retrieved his car, registration 98-C-18625, after "an item of interest" was identified by members of Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery unit.
Barry and his car had not been found during the time of his disappearance, despite exhaustive river searches involving boats and divers.
