'Differing and changing accounts' hamper investigation as gardaí search for missing boy feared dead

The searches on open land, described as extensively overgrown and used in a development for a recent bypass, are yet to find evidence of remains. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Gardaí are trying to “determine the truth” about what happened a little boy in north Dublin amid “differing and changing accounts” over how he may have died.

It comes as searches continue to try and locate what is expected to be a very small burial area in a “big” site outside Donabate.

The searches on open land, described as extensively overgrown and used in a development for a recent bypass, are yet to find evidence of remains.

There are fears that any remains, which could be there for up to four years, may have been disturbed as well as decomposed. 

The boy would be seven today if he was still alive.

The search area is only 40km away from where little Kyran Durnin was reported missing in Drogheda, Co Louth, on Friday, August 30, 2024 - a year to the day before the child in Dublin was reported as missing.

Gardai at an area of open ground on the Portrane Road, Donabate, on Wednesday morning. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

Gardaí do not know if the boy in Dublin died as a result of an accident or natural causes — and for some reason was secretly buried - or if his death was due to an assault.

Detectives are talking to the boy’s parents — who are said to be “engaging”.

But the investigation is hampered by what is described as “differing and changing accounts” of the child's death, including that the boy died naturally in his sleep, and was buried out of panic, to allegations he was assaulted or murdered.

“The investigation team is trying to determine the truth,” one source said. 

The primary objective is to locate remains and carry out a post mortem examination as well as forensic tests on any clothing or other linked items.

Officers explained that remains could be decomposed and scattered by wildlife. The site is described as extremely overgrown and was also used in the development of a bypass of Donabate. 

The search area is only 40km away from where little Kyran Durnin was reported missing in Drogheda, Co Louth, on Friday, August 30, 2024 — a year to the day before the child in Dublin was reported as missing. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

A cadaver dog, used to detect human remains, was used on Tuesday, but it is not clear if it indicated anything.

One source said:
We are looking for a very, very small burial site in a big site.

It emerged late on Tuesday that the boy, when very young, was placed in foster care after the parents, who were quite young, sought help from Tusla and suggested adoption.

It appears the parents subsequently changed their minds and Tusla arranged for the boy to return home. It is not clear if Tusla conducted welfare checks subsequently or for how long.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin urged people “not to be jumping to conclusions” saying there was a “tendency to almost immediately blame Tusla”. 

Children’s minister Norma Foley said Tusla is conducting a rapid review, with an independent review by the National Review Panel. She said she asked Tusla to conduct a wellbeing check on all cases, particularly of children during covid, including cases that were closed.