Gardai in Tipperary town have launched a murder investigation following a post mortem examination on the body of a man found near the town earlier this week.
The preliminary results of the examination carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital are not being released for operational reasons.
The identity of the deceased has yet to be formally established and Gardai are awaiting the results of further tests.
However the remains are believed to be those of Bobby Ryan who has been missing from the Fawnagown area where the body was discovered since June 2011.
Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact the incident room at Tipperary town Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line.