We present a near-IR spectrum of the nearby radio galaxy PKS1549-79 ( z = 0.153 ) .
These data were taken with the aim of testing the idea that this object contains a quasar nucleus that is moderately extinguished , despite evidence that its radio jet points close to our line-of-sight .
We detect broad Pa \alpha emission ( FWHM 1745 \pm 40 km s ^ { -1 } ) , relatively bright continuum emission , and a continuum slope consistent with a reddened quasar spectrum ( 3.1 < 
A _ { V } < 7.3 ) , all emitted by an unresolved point source .
Therefore we conclude that we have , indeed , detected a hidden quasar nucleus in PKS1549-79 .
Combined with previous results , these observations are consistent with the idea that PKS1549-79 is a young radio source in which the cocoon of debris left over from the triggering events has not yet been swept aside by circumnuclear outflows .