Gardaí to search four Louth properties as part of Kyran Durnin investigation
Kyran Durnin (left) and a guard with tools (right) during a search at his former family home.
Gardaí are expected to carry out searches of at least four properties in Co Louth as part of their investigation into the suspected murder of missing eight-year-old Kyran Durnin.
On Tuesday, gardaí took possession of a former family home of the child, at Emer Terrace in Dundalk, via court order.
An extensive search of the property and back garden, involving a forensic team, got under way in the early hours, with gardaí stationed at the door of the house all day.
The understands at least three other properties will be searched as part of efforts to locate Kyran’s remains.
A Garda source said: “The child was moved between Dundalk and Drogheda and was supposed to be starting in school in the North. At least three other properties are due to be searched.”
Speaking outside Dundalk Garda Station on Tuesday, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said: "The purpose of these searches are to discover any evidence which might provide us with information as to Kyran's current whereabouts or what has happened to Kyran.
"The house [at Emer Terrace] is known to have been Kyran's family home for a period of years, up to May 2024.
"An Garda Síochána can confirm that Kyran was a student in a local national school here in Dundalk, up to approximately the end of the 2021/2022 primary school year.
"Kyran was reported missing, along with his mother, to An Garda Síochána on August 30, 2024, and as having been last seen on or about August 28, 2024. An Garda Síochána has identified the whereabouts of Kyran's mother.
"Despite extensive inquiries carried out by gardaí to date, we have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts, or any evidence that he is currently alive.
"Following inquiries to date, investigating gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing, presumed dead."
Tusla, the child and family agency, has said it previously alerted gardaí to a significant concern about Kyran.
In a statement last night, Tusla said: "We can confirm that whilst Kyran was not in the care of Tusla, our services had engaged with both he and his family. In August 2024, we alerted An Garda Síochána in relation to a significant concern about Kyran.
"Since August, we have continued to assist and work closely with the gardaí, and in line with normal practice, all relevant information has been shared.
"We can also confirm that, as appropriate, a notification has been sent to the National Review Panel, whose responsibility is to independently review cases of serious incidents involving children in care or known to Tusla.
"We have also commenced an internal review, to look at our engagements and interactions with Kyran and his family."
Taoiseach Simon Harris has described the case as “utterly horrifying”.
“For any of us, as a human being, for any of us parents, to think that a child can effectively disappear and go unnoticed, that they're not there, is utterly heartbreaking, and clearly something went extraordinarily wrong here.
"This child was failed, and was failed badly."
Mr Harris said he would not "cut across" the Garda investigation, but pledged to "make sure we get to the bottom of this”.
He added: "How was this child, an eight-year-old little boy, effectively disappeared and that not be noticed? I think there's nobody in Ireland, including me, who can comprehend that.”
Detectives are also investigating if another child was used to pretend he was the missing boy on at least two occasions during meetings with social workers.
The child’s father attended a vigil in Drogheda on Sunday night with his family.
Kyran's grandmother later posted an appeal online alongside of a photograph of the boy, saying: “This is my grandson Kyran. If anyone has any information about him or his whereabouts, can you please contact your local Garda station? He needs to be found as soon as possible."
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