Man arrested in connection with Kyran Durnin murder

Family handout A young boy with short brown hair smiling at the camera. He is pictured from the shoulders up and wearing a blue hoodie. Family handout
Kyran Durnin was reported missing from his home in Drogheda in August

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Kyran Durnin.

Kyran, who was six when last seen alive, was reported missing from his home in Drogheda in County Louth in August.

In October, gardaí (Irish police) launched a murder investigation, saying they were treating Kyran as missing, presumed dead.

Although the missing person inquiry began in August, detectives believe Kyran may have been killed more than two years ago.

Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran arrested the man on suspicion of murder on Thursday.

He is being detained at a Garda station in the east of the Republic of Ireland.

A patch of grass with a Garda car and a white van parked on it. There is a grey brick wall behind the vehicles and some houses in the background.
Gardaí have been carrying out searches in Drogheda on Thursday

Searches

Investigating gardaí have also been searching two houses in Drogheda in order to find any information on Kyran's whereabouts or what happened to him.

A search at one of the houses has finished, with gardaí saying they would not release further details.

The search at a second house, which is being supported by a cadaver dog, is expected to continue for some time.

Gardaí added that the house and gardens will involve an intrusive search, as well as technical and forensic examinations.

A JCB and a white van parked on a patch of grass. There is a grey wall behind the JCB and homes in the background.
The searches are being carried out in order to find any information on Kyran's whereabouts or what happened to him

Other arrest

On Tuesday, a woman was arrested on suspicion of murder. She was released without charge on Wednesday.

An Garda Síochána is continuing to appeal for anyone with information in relation to the case to come forward.

Kyran was a pupil at the national [primary] school near his home in Dundalk in 2022.

It is understood authorities were told he would be moving to Northern Ireland and attending a new school in Newry.

School officials in Dundalk, where Kyran lived with his mother, were reportedly told at the end of the 2022 summer term that he would be attending school over the border – but that claim was not confirmed.