A search operation began today at the former family home of Kyran Durnin in DundalkTusla has commenced an internal review “to look at our engagements and interactions with Kyran and his family”Grandmother of Kyran issues appeal
In a statement, Tusla said that it has commenced an internal review “to look at our engagements and interactions with Kyran and his family”.
Although the Child and Family Agency said Kyran had not been in its care, it said “our services had engaged with both he and his family”.
It said: “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.
“We can also confirm that as appropriate a notification has been sent to The National Review Panel (NRP), whose responsibility is to independently review cases of serious incidents involving children in care or known to Tusla.
“We have also commenced an internal review, to look at our engagements and interactions with Kyran and his family.
“We are conscious of the ongoing garda investigation, and as such will not be commenting further at this time. Anyone with information on this case should contact An Garda Síochána.”
Kyran was officially reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co Louth, on August 30, alongside his mother, Dayla Durnin (24), with gardaí told he was last seen two days earlier. However, investigators believe he had been missing for much longer.
Garda forensic officers working in the back garden of a house in Dundalk, Co Louth as they search a former family home (Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
The last positive sighting of him was at the end of the school year in 2022, when he was in senior infants in Dundalk and was six years of age. Gardaí now suspect the child was killed two years ago.
A search operation began today at the former family home of Kyran Durnin by gardaí.
Gardaí, acting under a District Court Order, took possession of a house on Emer Terrace in Dundalk town yesterday.
Ahead of the search, Kryan’s relatives on his paternal side issued a number of appeals for information.
Making the appeal on Facebook, Jacqueline Leydon posted a picture of Kyran writing: “This is my grandson Kyran.
“If anyone has any information on him or his whereabouts, can you please contact your local garda station.
“He needs to be found as soon as possible.”
Other extended family members on Kyran’s father side issued a similar plea.
Speaking at a press conference today, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said the house and garden area of the house would be searched today.
He added: “Last Wednesday, An Garda Síochána issued a public appeal for information on the disappearance of Kyran Durnin, who would now be 8 years old and is missing, presumed dead.
“Yesterday, acting under a search warrant, gardaí investigating the disappearance of Kyran Durnin took possession of a private house on Emer Terrace, Dundalk.
Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern on missing eight-year-old Kyran Durnin
“Commencing today, that house will be searched and be subject of technical and forensic examinations, as will the garden and adjoining open ground to that house.
“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.
“I must emphasise that the current tenants of this house are not connected in anyway with Kyran or his disappearance.
“An Garda Síochána can confirm that Kyran was a student in a local national school, here in Dundalk, up to approximately the end of the 2021/ 2022 primary school year.
“Kyran was reported missing, along with his mother, to An Garda Síochána on the 30th August 2024, and as having been last seen on or about the 28th August 2024.
“An Garda Síochána has identified the whereabouts of Kyran’s mother.
“Despite extensive enquiries carried out by Gardaí to date, An Garda Síochána have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive.”
The development comes as Taoiseach Simon Harris described the disappearance of Kyran as “utterly horrifying”.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, the Taoiseach said he hopes there will be a breakthrough in the case.
He said: “The case of Kyran Durnin is deeply disturbing, deeply upsetting and in fact I would go as far as to say it is utterly horrifying for any of us, as a human being, as a parent, to think that a child could effectively disappear unnoticed and not be noticed that they are not there is utterly heartbreaking.”
He added that “clearly something went extraordinarily wrong here” and that the young boy was failed.
He added: “This child was failed, failed badly. While I’m not going to say anything that will cut across the Garda investigation, let that run its course, that’s very very important, as Taoiseach I will make sure we get to the bottom of this.
“How was this child failed. An eight year old little boy, effectively disappearing and not be noticed, there is nobody in Ireland, including me, that could comprehend that.
“So whatever needs to be done to establish from an accountability point of view, how this child was failed, how Kyran was failed, must happen.”
The search comes after Children’s minister Roderic O’Gorman said yesterday he has ordered urgent action in the case.
Mr O’Gorman said he has requested that Tusla sends its files on Kyran Durnin to a panel which looks into the death of any child with links to State care.
He said this would not usually happen until an investigation has been completed, but that he has asked the Child and Family Agency to disclose any case files to the National Review Panel.
Mr O’Gorman said it will help the investigators understand the agency’s involvement in the case.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman (Brian Lawless/PA)
Mr O’Gorman said that following the conclusion of the garda investigation, if it is found that any State agency has failed in its role, there will be “consequences”.
“Kyran’s case is deeply, deeply tragic, and I’m aware there’s an ongoing garda investigation taking place, so I want to couch my comments in light of that,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“If any part of the State, if any State agency, State apparatus, State body failed, yes, there will be consequences.
“From my department’s point of view, I’ve asked Tusla to send this case to the National Review Panel.
“That’s the panel that looks at the death of any child who had links to the caring infrastructure of the State, that usually takes place at the end of an investigation.
“But I’ve asked Tusla already to send that now so we can understand the child and families agency’s involvement in this particular case.
“I have no doubt other parts of the State will also be examining closely what happened here, while at the same time recognising there’s an ongoing investigation into this tragedy.”
Kyran Durnin: Timeline of events
