Partial human remains found in Co Limerick over 17 years ago have been confirmed to be that of missing Aengus (Gussie) Shanahan.
Mr Shanahan aged 20, who went missing February 11th 2000, was the subject of a lengthy appeal by his family who had been searching for him for over the past 18 years.
It is believed the remains were identified by a new system that was used by Scientists at Forensic Science Ireland.
Scientists who have informed Mr Shanahan’s family of a DNA match, apparently extracted a sample from the remains and matched with a samples taken from the Shanahan family.
The Bone fragments were found in October 2001 in the River Shannon close to Bunratty.
However identifying the remains had proven to be difficult given the lack of scientific technology available.