Children's minister unable to confirm if child referred to gardaí by Tusla is alive

Norma Foley says one Tusla-referred case remains unresolved as questions mount over the child’s welfare and the scope of the garda investigation

Minister for Children Norma Foley addresses the media outside Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA Wire

Children’s minister Norma Foley has been unable to confirm if a child whose case was referred to gardaí by Tusla is alive or dead.

During a press conference, the Fianna Fáil minister could not confirm how long gardaí have been investigating the case, whether the child is a boy or a girl, what age the child is, where the child is from, when concerns were raised with Tusla, or if the child is alive.

She made the comments as she confirmed that a report into missing boy Kyran Durnin, conducted by the National Review Panel, cannot be published due to concerns raised by the Attorney General.

Louth child Kyran was last seen in June 2022 when he was six years old. He was reported missing to gardaí in August 2024, with the case upgraded to a murder investigation in October 2024. Tusla had been interacting with his family before his disappearance. He has not been located.

Earlier this year, the body of Daniel Aruebose, 3, was found buried in Donabate, Co Dublin. Gardaí believe he was killed in 2021. His family had also been engaging with Tusla supervision for a period of time.

Ms Foley confirmed that several steps have been taken since Kyran’s disappearance, including the establishment of a “children absent from education” section in Tusla.

Gardaí are currently investigating one case referred by Tusla, but Ms Foley failed to answer repeated questions about the welfare of the child at the centre of the case.

“If a principal has a concern that a child didn't return after the holidays, or if a child was absent for a prolonged period of time, that would be immediately raised with the this particular office, children absent in education,” she said.

“It's my understanding it was [established] around the summertime. There are a number of education welfare officers working in that particular office, and they then have the responsibility of locating that child, wherever that child may be.

“If that child is not located, it will become a matter for An Garda Síochána.

“To the best of my knowledge, one case [is under investigation]. I wouldn't have any further information in relation to that.

“What I'm saying to you is that there is an office that has been set up dealing with a whole variety of different cases.

“To the best of my knowledge, all these cases actually have been resolved bar there is one where there remains a concern and that has been raised within An Garda Síochána.” 

When asked if the child was alive, Ms Foley said she “does not have the specifics”.

Ms Foley said that in some cases, a child could have moved jurisdictions or moved abroad, but could not confirm if those assumptions applied to this case.

She further confirmed that she was made aware of the case on Tuesday and has asked for an update from gardaí.