SKELETAL remains washed up on the west of Ireland coast have been confirmed as those of a woman who had been buried at sea.
Gardaí have said that DNA analysis confirmed the identity of the woman and her family has been informed.
Two walkers reported finding a body on rocks at Poulsallagh near Fanore in north Clare on September 19.
Gardaí responded to the call and requested assistance from the Irish Coast Guard as the body was located on the shoreline.
The remains were recovered from the scene and removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem examination.
Following an initial examination, it was confirmed that a post-mortem had previously been carried on the body.
Gardaí then began working on the theory that the person had been buried at sea.
It has since been established that the body was that of a woman from Clare who died in late 2016 and was buried at sea off the west coast.
A garda spokesman confirmed the investigation into the discovery has now concluded.
In Ireland, there is no legislation governing burials at sea.
The Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act (1993) allows the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make regulations regarding the burial of human remains at sea.
While no such regulations have been made to-date, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has developed voluntary guidelines for those considering a burial at sea.
