Gardaí have commenced an investigation following the discovery of a body of a man in unexplained circumstances in Rathmines, Dublin, on Saturday.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted shortly before 10pm, after the body of a man in his 40s was found at the back of a premises on Lower Rathmines Road.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body has since been removed to the Dublin City Mortuary where a post-mortem will be conducted by Dr Bolster from the office of the State Pathologist.

The scene remains preserved pending the outcome of a post-mortem examination.

Gardaí say the results of the post-mortem will assist them in determining the course of their investigations.

Main image shows a view of traffic on the main street in Rathmines. Picture by: Cezary Kowalski/SOPA Images/Sipa USA