Man's body taken from Ilen river

THE body of a man removed from the foreshore of the River Ilen in Skibbereen is believed to be Pete Oliver who has been missing from the area since December. 

Gardaí in Skibbereen said they do not believe there is anything suspicious about the death because there was no evidence of trauma.

The grim discovery was made by a member of the public on the banks of the river near Drisheen, between Skibbereen and Oldcourt, last Friday afternoon week.

The gardaí and the emergency services were called to assist in the removal of the man’s remains and the body was taken to CUH for post mortem and identification.

It is understood that the body may have been in the water for a long time, but, locally, Geoff Oliver told The Southern Star: ‘It is most likely my brother, Pete, who has been missing since December 14th last.’

Geoff, a biologist living on Cape Clear, said the gardaí are still looking for dental records and trying to match the tattoos on Pete’s upper arm and he said anyone who knew Pete, and would have photographs of the tattoos, could help by handing them into the garda station in Skibbereen.

Pete, who was 56 and originally from Devon, was last seen leaving a pub and heading home towards his temporary home near Abbeystrewry cemetery. Geoff believes it may have been an unfortunate accident that resulted in his brother’s untimely demise.

Geoff described his brother as ‘a very affable and nice guy.’ 

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