Gardai have confirmed that the body of the man found at the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Killarney has been identified as that of James Gleeson.

Gardaí had been searching for 59-year-old businessman who owned the launderette that was damaged by the explosion yesterday morning.

Mr Gleeson ran a supermarket and launderette businesses in the town for many years.

His body has been taken to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee where a post mortem will take place.

Seargent Dermott O Connell is at the scene of the explosion in Killarney. He has been speaking to Radio Kerry,