Grisly discovery inside sports bag found in burnt-out car

Police are investigating how severed body parts belonging to a teen boy ended up in a sports bag inside a burnt-out car days after he disappeared.

The 17-year-old was identified as Keane Mulready-Woods, from Drogheda in Ireland, on Wednesday (local time) after human body parts were found in Coolook, north Dublin, on Monday (local time).

The partial body remains were discovered in the car in Trinity Terrace in Drumcondra, on the northside of Dublin.

Later a house in Drogheda, about 50 kilometres south of Drumcondra, was sealed off as part of the investigation and was declared a crime scene to be forensically examined.

Police are investigating whether the death is linked to an ongoing feud between two rival gangs, in which three people have already been killed, the BBC reported.

Confirming the identity of the teenager, a statement from the Gardaí, the Irish police service, on Wednesday said: ”Keane is a 17-year-old juvenile, he disappeared on Sunday, January 12 and parts of his remains have now been discovered.

"This is a brutal and savage attack on a child and is completely unacceptable in any normal democratic society.

"The level of violence is shocking and the investigation into the murder of Keane is being co-ordinated from Drogheda Garda Station.

• Baby ‘left in hot car’ may have been 'locked inside for hours while mum played pokies’

• Dad charged after daughter installs camera to prove his alleged abuse

• Man charged with having 'anatomically correct' childlike sex doll

"It is important to remember that Keane was a child, a young boy, trying to find his way in life, he has now lost his life and his family have lost their loved son and brother.”

Deputy Commissioner John Twomey vowed to bring those responsible for the “shocking crime” to justice.

"In recent years An Garda Siochana has made significant progress in tackling organised crime through arrests leading to convictions and major seizures of guns, drugs and cash,” he said.

"This focus will continue. As always, the help and support of communities is vital to this.”

Detectives have issued an appeal for information about the teenager's last known movements.

"Keane was last seen in Drogheda by his family at approximately 6pm on the evening of Sunday, January 12.

"At this time Keane was wearing a navy Hugo Boss tracksuit, black Hugo Boss runners (brown sole, black laces), red/orange Canada Goose jacket and a Gucci baseball cap.”

Yahoo News UK

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.