Gardai believe an eight-year-old boy, who was reported missing in August, may have died two years ago, raising questions about how the case went undetected for so long.
In a statement yesterday morning, gardaí said they had upgraded a missing persons case involving Kyran Durnin, of Drogheda, Co. Louth, to one of murder.
‘Despite extensive inquiries carried out by Gardaí to date, An Garda Síochána has been unable to locate Kyran, identify any information regarding his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is alive. “Following inquiries to date, Gardaí investigators now believe Kyran is missing and presumed dead,” the force said.
His mother, Dayla, who was reported missing with Kyran at the end of August, has been located safe and sound in the UK.
Investigators hope people known to Kyran may have information that could shed more light on the case, which is among the most complex and sensitive they have ever tackled.
Kyran Durnin was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co Louth, on August 30.
Dayla Durin, 24, was reported missing along with her son, but is now reported to have been found in the United Kingdom.
At this stage, gardaí have not ruled out that Kyran died accidentally and efforts may have been made to conceal his remains.
Gardaí are investigating how Kyran’s school, as well as representatives from the Children and Families Agency, Tusla, who interviewed the Durnin family, were unaware the boy was missing.
The Irish Daily Mail understands one line of inquiry will examine whether attempts were made to convince authorities he was still alive. Gardaí had already been searching for signs of life in Kyran before the missing persons report was made, but found nothing.
Last week, gardaí received intelligence that led them to turn Kyran’s disappearance into a murder investigation, an unprecedented move in a case where someone had been officially missing for just seven weeks. The source of this information is not disclosed for operational reasons.
At this stage, gardaí have not ruled out that Kyran died accidentally and efforts may have been made to conceal his remains.
Members of the Durnin family are co-operating with gardaí, officers said. It is understood they will be asked if they have photographs or other evidence that could prove Kyran was alive on certain dates.
The Mail has confirmed that Tusla had requested a meeting with the boy after being made several notifications about potential safeguarding issues.
Questions are also being raised about why concerns were not raised about a child who gardaí say has been dead for two years.
“Narrowing down the exact last moment gardaí had evidence that Kyran was alive is critical to this investigation,” a senior source said.
Gardaí are investigating how Kyran’s school, as well as representatives from the Children and Families Agency, Tusla, who interviewed the Durnin family, were unaware the boy was missing.
‘This gives gardaí a time frame from which they can work. There are several other aspects of this research that are also being worked on. The Tusla aspect is also very important. Gardaí need to be clear about these meetings and who was there. Tusla is fully cooperating with gardaí in this regard.
“But there are a number of things that Gardaí are looking at at the moment.”
Other avenues will be to interview Kyran’s extended family and look for patterns that can then be investigated further. The investigation will include speaking to staff at the schools Kyran attended, as well as neighbors, about what they have seen in recent months. They will also be asked when they last saw Kyran.
Aontú leader and Drogheda native Peadar Tòibín told the Mail the incident was “heartbreaking” and said it was “unbelievable that this was allowed to happen.” He said: ‘This is a horrendous situation. It is shocking that Kyran was murdered two years ago. Most people will be horrified at how this could have happened. If this is the case, serious questions need to be asked regarding child protection services.’
Local Labor TD Ged Nash has said anyone hiding information about Kyran should examine their conscience. “I would appeal to anyone who can shed light on this situation or knows what happened to Kyran and where he might be to speak to An Garda Síochána,” he said.
‘There are no two ways to describe this, it is every family’s worst nightmare. There will be people who will know what happened, so I would ask them to do some soul-searching and do the right thing.’
Louth’s Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd described the case as “hugely shocking”. “All I can do is try to encourage those who have any information to come forward because it is very important that this young man is found,” he said.
Gardaí urged anyone with any information to come forward.
They said: ‘Gardaí in Louth investigating the disappearance of Kyran Durnin (aged 8) are appealing to the public for information. Kyran was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co. Louth, to An Garda Síochána on 30 August 2024. Despite extensive inquiries by gardaí to date, An Garda Síochána has been unable to locate Kyran or identify no information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive.
‘Following inquiries to date, Gardaí investigators now believe that Kyran is missing and presumed dead. A murder investigation has been launched.
“Gardaí appeal to anyone with any information… to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”