A MAJOR Garda investigation has been launched after the discovery of a human torso in the Wicklow mountains.
Two walkers made the grim find in undergrowth off Military Road at Glencree near Enniskerry on Saturday night.
Gardaí do not know the identity of the victim and only a post-mortem will be able to confirm whether it was a man or woman.
Superintendent Pat Ward said: "We believe the person who died came to their death by sinister means."
He added: "We are putting as much resources and effort into it as if it was a murder investigation but the type of investigation we undertake from now will be determined by the results of the post-mortem examination."
Forensic tests will also gauge how long ago the person died.
Mr Ward appealed for anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the area over recent months to come forward.
The scenic area, which was sealed off to enable further searches to take place, would be popular with hill walkers.
