Gardaí have confirmed that a bone found yesterday close to the River Shannon in east Clare is human.
The discovery was made near the riverbank on the Clare side of the river at Doonass near Clonlara.
A number of follow-up searches of the local area were carried out after the discovery was made. The bone was removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick where it was examined.
Divers from the Garda Water Unit searched the area of the river close to where the bone was found.
It has since been confirmed that the bone is from a human leg. The bone has been sent to the office of the State Pathologist for further tests that Gardaí hope will confirm whether the bone is from a male or female and how old it is.
Gardaí are also expected to carry out DNA testing to see whether the bone matches that of anyone in the missing persons database.
While further tests will confirm one way or the other, it’s also possible the bone came from a graveyard located just metres from the river. The area was extensively flooded last winter.
Gardaí at Henry Street in Limerick are investigating the discovery.