Gardaí to examine marked 'target area' in search for remains of missing boy

Gardaí search an area of open ground on the Portrane Rd, Donabate, in the case of the missing boy. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.

Gardaí searching for the remains of a boy in north Dublin will continue to examine a marked “target area” before deciding whether or not to extend the search site.

The Irish Examiner understands that nothing of evidential value was uncovered today, which is the third day of searches at an area of open ground just outside the village of Donabate.

The operation – led by the divisional search team - will continue tomorrow.

Sources said that gardaí will continue with their work on a designated search site before making any decision of possibly extending it across a larger section of the open ground.

“We will finish the target area first and then conduct a review,” one source said.

The target area was determined based on information the garda investigation team had received and was considered to be “credible” information.

Meanwhile, Tusla has said it closed its case on the little boy in 2021 because “it was deemed the most appropriate step to take” and not due to the covid pandemic, CEO Kate Duggan said.

No child protection concerns were identified by Tusla in the child’s case, while supporting the little boy and his parents between 2017 and 2020.

Some 38,000 children’s cases which were closed during the covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021 will now be reviewed by organisation Ms Duggan told RTÉ’s News at One.

She acknowledged “the really awful and harrowing tragedy that has occurred — the presumed death of a very young child.” 

The boy’s family had contacted Tusla for support, Ms Duggan said, and the agency “primarily [provided] intensive and direct parenting supports”. Tusla wants to help families stay together, Ms Duggan said.

It's appropriate that we would pull back from a family when it is deemed that they are doing well 

“I'm confirming that the point of discharge wasn't a covid-related decision,” Ms Duggan said.

However, it must still be established whether covid had an impact on the family accessing other services after its involvement with Tusla ended, Ms Duggan said.

Misinformation has surrounded the case in public, Ms Duggan said.

Although conclusions are being drawn that this case is similar to that of Kyran Durnin, the little boy missing from Louth for three years and who is now also presumed dead, there are differences, she said.

Improvements to wellbeing checks

Tusla is now undertaking a rapid review of the case, which should take approximately two weeks and will then be shared with children’s minister Norma Foley and her department. There will also be an independent review by the National Review Panel.

Ms Duggan said she would support the review being made public. The agency must also examine any necessary improvements in wellbeing checks that Tusla carries out.

“We're working with the [children's] minister [Norma Foley] and with the department to just really tease out the scope of that," Ms Duggan said.

Tusla is predicted to receive more than 105,000 referrals this year. The agency has seen a 40% increase in referrals since it was founded, the CEO said.

The majority of cases — some three quarters of referrals — relate to general family and welfare supports such as parenting advice and housing, rather than child protection, she said.

Although conclusions are being drawn that the case is similar to that of Kyran Durnin, there are differences, Tusla CEO Kate Duggan has said. Picture: Garda Press Office

"I welcome the conversations we're having now about the spotlight being placed on child protection services,  and on members of the public understanding just the scale of referrals we receive, and the concerns that are out there about children," she added.

Changes are required in policy, legislation and investment “in line with [the] increased demand,” Ms Duggan said.

The case had been referred back to Tusla by someone in an administrative role, she said. And a whole of society approach is needed to further strengthen child protection, she said.

“When people think about child protection, they think about Tusla because we are the agency or the statutory agency established in relation to child protection and child welfare.

But […] no one agency and no one service can completely protect children and young people

“Child protection is about anybody who's in contact with the child, with the family, anybody that has a concern.

“It’s not about shirking our responsibilities as an agency, we're very clear on that, but we can't do this on our own. This is the wider education system, health system, community and voluntary system, and people standing back and reflecting: ‘Is there something I can do if I have any concern about a child or a family?’ 

“This type of tragedy brings into the spotlight child protection systems. It brings into the spotlight and reminds everyone in Ireland the risks and concerns that are there when it comes to children's welfare and their safety.” 

The child’s death would impact all those who knew him, from family and friends to the Tusla workers and other professionals who had tried to support him, Ms Duggan said.

Ms Duggan said she was keen to be as transparent around the case as possible, but she had to balance that with respect for individuals’ legal right to privacy at this time.

Under-resourcing concerns

Meanwhile, Labour's Duncan Smith said the Donabate case, coupled with the case of Kyran Durnin, could bring the future of Tusla into question.

"At the moment, we don't know the full facts yet. But I think from what we do know, Tusla has serious, serious questions to answer," Mr Smith said.

"This could shake the very foundations and, I believe, the very future of Tusla. That is how serious this is. It is an absolute tragedy."

Mr Smith said his constituents in Dublin Fingal East are in a state of shock and compassion for those who knew and loved the missing child.

He also expressed his hope that the efforts of gardaí could bring a degree of certainty to the situation, and then policymakers can hold to account those State agencies who may have had any involvement in letting the child down.

Speaking at the Labour Party think-in, Ivana Bacik criticised the under-resourcing of Tusla. She said it has become apparent in a lot of "slightly under-the-radar reports."

"We have called for a root-and-branch review of Tusla's work and to guarantee that they will be given sufficient," the party leader said.

"I see the incredible work social workers do, but they need sufficient resources to be able to ensure that no child is left behind."