Kyran Durnin He was reported missing from his home in Co Louth at the end of August, but gardaí have since assumed him dead and launched a murder investigation.

Did the murder investigation encounter serious difficulties?

The biggest challenge so far is the lack of information from people who believe gardaí can tell what happened to Kyran, who would have been eight years old today had he lived. When a serious hidden crime is exposed there is often a burst of publicity. And when this happens gardaí always hope that someone with information will be effectively overwhelmed and come forward. However, in this case this did not happen. Gardaí also have neither remains nor a crime scene.

So what do gardaí know so far about what happened?

We know that Kyran’s family (his mother Dayla, 24, also has two young children) lived in a house in Emer Terrace, Dundalk, until May. But the last confirmed sighting of Kyran is May-June 2022The last time he attended St Nicholas Convent National School in Dundalk. It is understood the family were planning to move to Northern Ireland, so no concerns were raised when Kyran did not return to school the following September. Staff at the beginning of this year TuslaThe Children and Welfare Agency met with members of the Durnin family as part of their ongoing engagement. However, although at least one child was present at that meeting, Kyran was not there.

( Kyran Durnin case: Tusla investigation completed but will not be publishedOpens in new window )

What happened next?

Almost nothing happened. However, on 29 August Tusla went to the Garda and reported that he had serious concerns about Kyran’s welfare. He did this after checking further on the boy and not being able to see him. The next day, 30 August, a family member went to the Garda and reported Kyran and his mother missing, but claimed they had only been in Louth the day before. Gardaí immediately began a missing person investigation. Garda established that Kyran’s mother was in England. On October 16, gardaí said they had found no evidence that Kyran was alive. As a result, they upgraded the investigation into Kyran to a murder investigation.

So who would want to kill Kyran and why?

Although the case is officially a murder investigation, it is not absolutely certain that Kyran was killed. However, by escalating the investigation to a murder investigation, gardaí can gain more resources and greater powers, such as obtaining a search warrant.

( Education Minister Norma Foley says Kyran Durnin ‘lost in the system’Opens in new window )

Does it seem like even the basics are unknown?

Gardaí cannot be sure whether Kyran was killed and if he was (as gardaí strongly suspect) it is not clear when he died or how he died. A search was carried out at the property in Emer Terrace last week. This involved excavating the backyard and adjacent waste area. However, no remains were found.

So what happens now?

In short, it will likely be a slow and painstaking investigation unless a key witness comes forward. Gardaí have received a wealth of information from the public, including reports of sightings of Kyran. All of these tips are followed. Tusla also carried out a review into its relationship with the family and this matter was being reviewed this weekend. Further searches are also being considered. The case also examines the movements of “relevant persons”, phone records, social media and messaging application records. Gardaí are still hopeful that someone who knows what happened will come forward and speak more openly than they have so far.