Body of man found in Kildare woods could be missing Philip Finnegan
THE body of a man discovered partially buried in a woods in Kildare late on Friday evening is believed to be that of a man who went missing last month.
The discovery was made by people walking in the area of Rahan Woods, near Carbury.
Gardaí are treating the case as suspicious and the area was sealed off for a technical examination.
Sources last night said they believed the remains belonged to Philip Finnegan, who went missing in August.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out a preliminary examination of the scene yesterday.
The man’s body has been removed to Naas General Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out. It is understood he died in a violent manner and his body was in the woods for less than a month.
Philip Finnegan was last seen at his home at Mary Aikenhead House in Dublin 8 on August 10. He was described as 5ft4in tall with dark brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a light grey top, dark grey tracksuit bottoms and blue runners.
It is understood that gardaí feared he may have been attacked and abducted by members of a criminal gang over a sum of money.
Philip Finnegan was previously targeted by criminals and narrowly escaped death when he and another man were shot at from the window of a passing car in 2013.
A hatchet was later put through the window of his home in Basin Street, Dublin 8.
He was acquitted of firearms possession at the Circuit Criminal Court in 2015 after a court heard a semi-automatic capable of firing blanks was found at his house.
The weapon was found in a box, which also contained toys and video games, in a bedroom Philip Finnegan shared with younger brothers.
In Garda interviews, Philip Finnegan said the firearm belonged to his brothers but later told officers to charge him and not his siblings. However, the charges against him were dropped.
It is believed his disappearance was not linked to the Hutch-Kinahan feud.