Gardaí are looking into the possibility that the remains of a man found in a Dublin recycling facility were soaked in acid.

The remains were found in Thorntons Recycling plant in Ballyfermot on July 31st.

An upper leg and lower leg were first located at the plant, followed by a skull, after extensive searches of up to 1,000 tonnes of domestic and industrial waste.

Gardai are still trying to identify the victim who was killed and dismembered.

So far they can confirm that the man had undergone neurological brain surgery and was a foreign national.

Gardaí have also determined that this male was aged between 25 and 45 years, and between 5-ft-8 and 6-foot in height.

While the cause of death is not known, it is believed he may have died four or five days before his remains were found.

Conor Feehan is chief reporter with The Herald. He says the investigation is proving extremely difficult.