Body part found on beach in Donegal : Forensic examination to be carried out

A major search operation along the coastline at the town of Bunbeg in the West Donegal Gaeltacht area was enacted after part of a human leg with a shoe attached was found by a passer-by taking a stroll along the beach.

It is understood the body part belonged to a female, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Gardaí confirmed this morning that the search operation by its officers and the Coast Guard has concluded.

Earlier today a County Donegal councillor said the discovery was a “complete mystery”.

Picturesque Bunbeg in Gweedore is a popular seaside town and one of the main coastal towns in Donegal. The Irish-speaking region is a major draw for tourists, particularly those from the north of Ireland and Scotland, and is also a departure point for boats leaving to some of the islands off Donegal.

Sinn Féin Councillor for the area, John Seamais O Fearraigh told the Journal today that local people were stunned.

He said: “The body part has been taken to Letterkenny Hospital to the morgue and DNA testing is to be carried out.

“The gardai are investigating at the moment but it remains a complete mystery.

“This was found by a walker out walking on the beach and it must have been a complete shock for that person that found it yesterday evening.”

Colr O Fearraigh said the beach where the discovery was made was close to one of the local piers, and that the scene was cordoned off last night as gardai combed the area and a search helicopter was scrambled to search the coastline to see if there were any other remains in the water.

“The helicopter was there for nearly two hours. It is just a complete mystery as there is no-one missing from the area, and there is nobody missing from the islands.”

He added that local people were “absolutely stunned”.