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Police search family's former home for missing boy

Family handout Kyran Durnin - a young boy with short, brown hair is smiling at the camera as he sits on a dark, leather sofa. He is wearing a blue hoodie.Family handout
Kyran Durnin was reported missing from his home in Drogheda in August

Gardaí (Irish police) investigating the suspected murder of an eight-year-old boy are searching his former family home in Dundalk, County Louth.

Kyran Durnin was reported missing along with his mother from the family's current home in Drogheda at the end of August.

Kyran's 24-year-old mother Dayla Durnin was subsequently located but there has been no sign of the boy.

Last week, gardaí upgraded their missing child inquiry to a murder investigation, saying they believed Kyran is "missing and presumed dead".

Gardaí have said the search operation will continue on Wednesday and could enter a third day on Thursday, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

Current tenants 'not connected in anyway'

Niall Carson/PA Wire A masked Gardai forensic officer in Dundalk pictured during a search of a house linked to the investigation into the suspected murder of eight-year-old Kyran DurninNiall Carson/PA Wire
A forensic search is taking place in Emer Terrace, Dundalk

In August this year, the Irish state agency responsible for child welfare, Tusla, contacted gardaí over what it has described as a "significant concern about Kyran".

But RTÉ has previously reported that gardaí believe he may have been killed more than two years ago.

On Tuesday morning, Ch Supt Alan McGovern addressed reporters outside Dundalk Garda station, flanked by two images of the missing boy.

He confirmed the location of the search was a rented house in Emer Terrace in Dundalk town.

He said the property was known to have been the home of Kyran's family for a period of years until May 2024.

Gardaí took possession of the house on Monday, acting under a search warrant.

Ch Supt McGovern explained there would be forensic and technical examinations of the house, garden and adjoining open ground.

"I must emphasise that the current tenants of this house are not connected in anyway with Kyran or his disappearance," the officer added.

A uniformed garda officer stands inside the entrance of a red brick terraced house in Emer Terrace Dundalk during the search for Kyran Durnin.
Garda vehicles have been parked at a number of locations along Emer Terrace

He also told reporters that Kyran was a student at a local school in Dundalk until the end of the 2021-22 school year.

Last month, gardaí issued a missing persons appeal for both Kyran and his mother.

Ch Supt McGovern said when their disappearance was reported on 30 August, gardaí were told they had been last seen on or about 28 August 2024.

"Despite extensive enquiries carried out by gardaí to date, An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive," the officer said.

The murder investigation, which began last week, is based from an incident room at Drogheda Garda Station and is under the direction of a senior investigation officer.

"An Garda Síochána's sole focus and primary concern, and that of the investigation team, is Kyran," Ch Supt McGovern said.

"We want to discover where Kyran is. We want to discover what has happened to Kyran."

Cate McCurry/PA Wire Ch Supt Alan McGovern, dressed in garda uniform, pictured during a press conference outside Dundalk Garda station. He is flanked by two large photos of Kyran Durnin, propped up on wooden stands, in front of the steps of the station. Cate McCurry/PA Wire
Ch Supt Alan McGovern spoke to reporters outside Dundalk Garda station

The officer also thanked members of the public who have contacted the investigation team so far, but he urged other witnesses to come forward.

"Please do not assume that the investigation team know the information that you may have," he said.

"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed."

He added that any information given about Kyran's disappearance would be treated in the strictest confidence.

Ch Supt McGovern also confirmed that gardaí were "liaising closely" with other state agencies about the case, including Tulsa.

He said they were co-operating and assisting fully with the murder investigation.

Taoiseach Simon Harris told RTÉ that the case was "deeply disturbing" and "deeply upsetting".

"In fact I'd go so far to say it's utterly horrifying for any of us as a human being, for any of us as a parent to think that a child can effectively disappear, go unnoticed and not be noticed that they're not there is utterly heartbreaking," he added.

Tusla reviewing its interactions with family

On Tuesday evening, a Tusla spokeswoman told BBC News NI: "We can confirm that whilst Kyran was not in the care of Tusla, our services had engaged with both he and his family.

"In August 2024, we alerted An Garda Síochána in relation to a significant concern about Kyran.

"Since August, we have continued to assist and work closely with the gardaí, and in line with normal practice, all relevant information has been shared."

The spokeswoman added that Tusla was now conducting an internal review which would examine engagements and interactions with Kyran and his family.

The case has also been referred to Ireland's National Review Panel, which investigates serious incidents including the deaths of children who are in care or known to the child protection system.