Gardai have confirmed that the body of a man was found on land near the railway line outside Ballyhaunis earlier today.
The man's remains will be removed this evening to Mayo University Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out the determine the cause of death.
The discovery was made shortly after 12 noon today when an Irish Rail employee who was walking the rail line discovered a man's body on land near the rail track at Skehard about 2 miles from Ballyhaunis.
Gardai attended the scene and an investigation got underway.
Midwest News understands that that the deceased is a retired priest in his early 70's who lived locally and regularly walked the land along the railway line.
While officially the cause of death remains unexplained pending a post-mortem examination, it's understood he died from natural causes.
Local parish priest Fr Stephen Farragher was at the scene in the last hour to administer last rites to his colleague before his remains are removed to MUH.
It's understood the body may have been at the scene for up to two days before being discovered.
Irish Rail investigators are also at the site this evening.
The incident has caused disruption to rail services between Mayo and Dublin today.
Passengers from Mayo are being bussed to Athlone, with a train service from Athlone to Heuston.
