Gardaí are searching for a weapon believed to have been used in the murder of Philip Finnegan.

The 24-year-old’s remains were located on Friday night in Rahin Woods in County Kildare by a member of the public out walking a dog.

It is being reported that Mr Finnegan was killed at the site and it is understood that he was stabbed to death and Gardaí are now hunting for a weapon.

He had been missing from his home at Mary Aikenhead House in Dublin’s south inner city since August 10 and it is feared he was killed amid an ongoing rise in gangland violence in Dublin.

A post mortem was carried out overnight but Gardaí have declined to disclose the findings, citing operational reasons.

It has been reported that Mr Finnegan was living in fear of his life and wore a bullet proof vest after being targeted by crime gangs in Dublin.

The remains are believed to have been found partially buried in a shallow hole by members of the public who were walking in the woods.

Unconfirmed reports also claim attempts had been made to set the body on fire.

Meanwhile, Gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone with any information to contact Leixlip Garda Station 01-6667800, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.