Police have identified the remains discovered in the Dublin Mountains as that of missing woman Elaine O’Hara.

The 36-year-old was last seen leaving her home at Belarmine Plaza, Stepaside, south Dublin, on August 22, 2012. She was reported missing by her father two days later.

Her car was found at Shanganagh Cemetery on August 24 — about six miles from Killakee, where her remains were discovered.

Her remains were discovered in Killakee Mountain in Rathfarnham last Friday by a walker and her dog.

Police are investigating whether she may have met her murderer through online dating sites.

In a bizarre coincidence O’Hara’s personal items, including clothes and her mobile phone,  were discovered 30km away near Roundwood in Co Wicklow last week by a separate passer-by.

The items included a key-chain to the Dunnes Stores branch where she worked.

A source told The Irish Daily Star: “Gardai are satisfied Ms O’Hara was murdered.”

The source added: “It’s feared that she met up with a man who she first came across on an internet dating site and a search is now underway to find this man."

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has said the force will do its utmost to find out what happened to the victim.

The head of the police force warned people using internet dating services to exercise caution.

“Like every other facility the internet is a marvellous creation,” Callinan said.

“But I think it is important that people are careful about who they communicate with. The advice I would give would be the advice any police officer would give; to know who you are dealing with, know the circumstances surrounding the business you’re dealing with and to exercise reasonable caution and care, as in every other facet of life.”