The family of a missing man, who were unaware his body had been discovered 25 years ago, have asked why his body was not identified sooner.
The body of 23-year-old Denis Walsh, who was reported missing in March 1996, was actually found in April that year.
A Garda spokeswoman said previously unidentified remains found on the shore at Inis Mor in Co Galway, on April 7th 1996, had been confirmed as belonging to Mr Walsh from Caherdavin in Co Limerick.
Mr Walsh was reported missing on March 9th 1996, and advances in DNA profiling had yielded a positive identification.
His family confirmed they have been informed that Denis's remains were buried in a communal grave at Bohermore Cemetery in Galway back in 2014.
A photo of Denis Walsh (left) alongside an age-progressed image. Picture by: An Garda SíochánaThe family now plan to have his remains exhumed and laid to rest in Limerick near their home.
Denis Walsh's mother, Mary Walsh, told journalist David Raleigh she wants answers.
"Every morning, noon and night I just think 'Where are you Denis?' and I prayed that I'd get answers.
"Down the years, anywhere there was a sighting his Dad and myself visited those places, questioning everyone, put up posters everywhere we could.
"You could nearly say all over Ireland, cause there was sightings all over Ireland at various times, and we followed them all up.
"And little did we know that all that time, his body had been recovered - and that's the sad thing this day that I feel: that all those times we were looking for him, he had already been found.
"So that I have no answer for, how that could happen".
"I would like answers, and I would like now to get his remains back and give him a Christian burial".
His father, Denis Walsh Senior, added: "I would have to say I'm mad, mad at what has gone on.
"25 years, we lived for 25 years hoping that some day he might ring or come in the door - and any hopes like that have been shattered".
Reporting by David Raleigh
