THE BODY of a man discovered on the banks of the River Shannon on Friday will be confirmed today as the remains of missing Limerick man Francie Greene.

The 48-year-old was last seen near his apartment on Hartstonge Street in Limerick in November.

The remains were discovered by a farmer in Portrine on the banks of the River Shannon in Cratloe, Co Clare, on Friday afternoon.

It is believed his body was in the water for some time and that he died violently before his body was dumped.

He was not involved in criminality and his family are well-known and regarded in their native village of Kilteely, Co Limerick.

A post mortem examination began yesterday afternoon at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick to determine a cause of death. Gardaí in Limerick have been in contact with Greene's family to try to identify the body.

The 48-year-old was forcibly taken from his home on 28 November. A 27-year-old man was later questioned in relation to his disappearance. He was released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Gardaí held the suspect on suspicion of falsely imprisoning Greene.

Gardaí say that significant progress had been made in the investigation since his disappearance and officers are hopeful the post mortem results will further assist garda enquiries.

Detectives praised the efforts made by the voluntary groups in Limerick that carried out an extensive search for the man since his disappearance.