Gardai have recovered equipment which may have been used to dismember the body of murder victim Kenneth O Brien.

The Irish Independent is reporting that a number of items were found when Gardai divers recovered a bag from the Royal Canal near Maynooth yesterday.

Meanwhile DNA results are expected later on several body parts taken from the Grand Canal yesterday near Sallins in Co Kildare.

Detectives believe the remains are those of murder victim Kenneth O'Brien.

The 33 year old's body was found in the canal in Ardclough, about 8 kilometres away.

Nicola Tallant Investigations editor with the Sunday World says the tests are regarded as a formality: