Gardaí took possession of house in Dundalk under a court order yesterdayTechnical and forensic examination will take place at property today
Last week, gardaí confirmed they have launched a murder investigation following Kyran’s disappearance, who is missing, presumed dead.
Gardaí, acting under a District Court Order, took possession of a private house in Dundalk yesterday.
“Commencing today, that house will be searched and be subject of technical and forensic examinations, as will the garden and adjoining ground to that house,” a garda spokesperson 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 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
