'We want to discover what has happened': Gardaí searching Kyran ...

The house, where new tenants unconnected to the investigation now live, was taken into possession by gardaí after they were granted an order by the District Court.

Kyran was reported missing in late August, but following new information, gardaí said the case was upgraded to murder earlier this month. 

Kyran was a student in a local national school in Dundalk, up to approximately the end of the 2021/2022 school year, but that is the last confirmed sighting that gardaí have of him. 

Kyran was reported missing, along with his mother, on August 30 of this year, and as having been last seen on or around August 28. The whereabouts of Kyran’s mother have since been identified. 

Despite extensive enquiries, gardaí say they have been unable to locate Kyran, identify any information on his whereabouts, or any evidence that he is currently alive.

On Monday, acting under a District Court Order, investigating gardaí took possession of a private house on Emer Terrace in Dundalk known to have been Kyran’s family home up until May of this year. 

The house's current tenants are not connected in any way to Kyran's disappearance.

Kyran was reported missing in late August, but, following new information, gardaí said the case was upgraded to murder earlier this month. Picture: Garda Info

Gardaí say the house will be searched on Tuesday and will be subject of technical and forensic examinations, along with the garden and adjoining ground to the house.

Speaking outside Dundalk Garda Station, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said: “The purpose of these searches are to discover any evidence which might provide us with information as to Kyran’s current whereabouts or what has happened to Kyran.

“The house is known to have been Kyran’s family home for a period of years up to May 2024."

Mr McGovern said the force is liaising closely with other state agencies, including Tusla, who are co-operating and assisting with the murder investigation.

“I want to thank members of the public who have contacted the garda investigation team to date. Our sole focus and primary concern, and that of the investigation team, is Kyran," he said.

“We want to discover where Kyran is. We want to discover what has happened to Kyran. I continue to appeal to anyone who has any information in connection with the disappearance of Kyran to contact investigating gardaí.

“Do not rule out any information that you may have. Please do not assume that the investigation team know the information that you may have.

“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.”

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Garda Investigation Team at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána.

Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern with pictures of Kyran Durnin. picture: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

On Monday, Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman asked Tusla to send the case of the missing eight-year-old to a panel that investigates the deaths of children in State care.

Mr O’Gorman confirmed that he had asked Tusla to refer the case to the National Review Panel (NRP), which would normally examine cases after a Garda investigation is complete.

Last Friday, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said gardaí must be allowed to complete their investigations. 

Questioned if Tusla had failings with the case, Ms McEntee said that if any State agency has not done their job properly, they must be held to account.

She described the case as "devastating". 

"This is a really very upsetting case when you look at the facts and you read what has potentially happened here,” Ms McEntee said.

“Unfortunately the view is that he is most likely dead and has passed away, but we need to understand what’s happened. We need to know have there been failures here, where have those failures been taking taking place, but also who is responsible for them.”