Man arrested in connection with murder of Kyran Durnin found dead
One of the suspects for the murder of Kyran Durnin has been found dead at his home in Drogheda, Co Louth.
The man, aged in his 30s, is thought to have died suddenly and tragically. No foul play is suspected and no one else is being sought in relation to his death.
The man was arrested last Thursday for the murder of the boy while an extensive search was conducted at his home in Drogheda. A second search in the town was also carried out.
His body was found at his home this morning.
Gardaí are not commenting on whether or not there is any link between his death and the murder investigation.
He was the second person arrested last week after detectives questioned a woman for the murder of the boy.
The woman and the man were known to each other.
The search at the man's home finished last Friday and shortly after he was released from custody without charge.
In a statement, Garda HQ said: “Earlier today, Tuesday, gardaí and emergency services were alerted following the discovery of a body of a male aged in his 30s in a domestic residence in Drogheda, Co Louth.
“The local Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The outcome of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation.
“No additional information is available at this time.”
As there does not appear to be any criminal matter in the death, the Garda investigation will result in a file for the coroner.
Separately, the murder investigation team will examine where this leaves their inquiries. Sources said they are still focused on trying to find the remains of the boy.
The investigation team was in the process of compiling a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the two arrests and the results of two searches carried out last week.
Kyran was aged six when he was last seen alive, at his primary school in Dundalk in May 2022. He was reported missing from his home in Drogheda last August, when he would have been aged eight.
Last October, gardaí upgraded their missing person's case to a murder investigation.
Last Friday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he believed that Kyran was probably killed soon after he went missing, when he was aged six.
Commissioner Harris said: “I do not think that he [Kyran] is eight years old. I think Kyran died at the age of six years old. That’s where our investigative effort then is focused upon, focused upon that period in May 2022 and what happened to Kyran after that last, in effect, confirmed sighting, and how we can develop that on from there.”
He said: “The body of Kyran hasn’t been recovered, and that’s an obvious point for us in terms of this investigation.”
Gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information, on the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, no matter how insignificant, 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.
