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Police release new photos in schoolboy murder case

Family handout Kyran, small dark haired boy, smiling at camera, sat on black sofa wearing blue hoodyFamily handout
Detectives believe Kyran may have been killed more than two years ago, external.

Police investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin have released new images of the schoolboy as they continue to appeal for information.

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 for two years, presumed dead.

A man and a woman have both been arrested on suspicion of murder before later being released without charge. A number of properties have also been searched.

On Tuesday, the man arrested on suspicion of the murder, understood to be 36-year-old Anthony Maguire, was discovered dead at his home in Drogheda.

An Garda Síochána Composite image, on left Kyran is wearing a black baseball hat and grey patterned hoody with neon zip, on right he is in a blue sonic the hedgehog jumper holding a brown paw patrol dog doll in police uniformAn Garda Síochána
Gardaí released the new photos of Kyran on Thursday

Gardaí said they have received "extensive support from the public" and, as part of ongoing enquiries, new images of Kyran which were taken in June 2022 when he was six years old, have been provided to the investigation team.

"An Garda Síochána is aware of the extensive public commentary on this investigation including speculation, rumours and theories on what may have happened to Kyran," a spokesperson added.

"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence."

PA Media Person in full white forensics suit, walking a small beige dog into a pebble-dashed, red brick property PA Media
Police and forensics teams have conducted a number of searches in recent weeks

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

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.

Police carried out searches at two houses in Drogheda last week in order to find any information on Kyran's whereabouts or what happened to him.

The search of one of the houses was supported by a cadaver dog.

The results of the searches have not been made public.

The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, previously said he had never seen a case like this in his 40-year career in policing on both sides of the border.