The man whose remains were found in a suitcase in Kildare last weekend has been identified as 33-year-old Kenneth O'Brien from Clondalkin in west Dublin.

The JCB operator and diesel fitter had recently returned from Australia. He had a partner and was a father.

Mr O'Brien was last seen on Friday morning at his home in Lealand Road and was reported missing the following day.

The suitcase was spotted in the water by two people walking along the canal bank between the 13th lock and Ardclough Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Mr O'Brien's body was dismembered and wrapped in plastic before being put in the suitcase.

At a briefing in Leixlip Garda Station this evening, gardaí said they wish to speak to anyone who was in or around the Grand Canal near Ardclough on Friday and early Saturday.

They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or had any contact with Mr O'Brien since the early hours of Friday morning or who can assist in tracing his movements.

They are now focusing on finding the place, or places, where Mr O'Brien was murdered and his body was dismembered.