An investigation has been launched after an Irish father was found dead in Colombia.

The Irish Sun reported on Sunday that Dubliner Joe Moore was found with his hands tied, face down in a river in the city of Caldas.

His body was discovered on May 2 but it took a month before he could be identified through the tattoos on his body, including the word 'Ireland' on his back.

The newspaper reports that Mr Moore is from Ballyfermot in Dublin.

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He had been living in Spain for a number of years and his family in Ireland were unaware that he had travelled to Colombia.

A source told the newspaper: "Packie lived his own life in Spain and would come back to Dublin regularly, his family had no idea he was in Colombia.

It's reported that police in Colombia are treating the killing as gangland murder.

It's unclear why Mr Moore had been in the South American country.

A death notice posted on RIP.ie by his family read: “Moore, Joseph (Joe). May 2nd 2017. Late of Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot."

He is described as a "beloved dad" and a "loving son".

"Sadly missed by his loving son, daughters, mother, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces, grandchildren, extended family and friends.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "We are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance."

Caldas is located 21 kilometres to the south of Medellin.

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