Gardaí to Expand Search for Missing Kyran Durnin
Ardee News and Sport – Widespread shock has gripped Dundalk and Drogheda as Gardaí intensify their investigation into the disappearance of eight-year-old Kyran Durnin, who is now presumed dead. Kyran, last seen two years ago but only reported missing in August 2024, once lived in Dundalk with his family. This week, authorities commenced a search at the family’s former home, now occupied by tenants who are not connected to the case.
Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern, speaking from Dundalk Garda Station, confirmed that Gardaí will be expanding the search to include three other homes in Drogheda in the coming days. “We want to discover where Kyran is. We want to discover what has happened to Kyran,” McGovern said, underscoring the urgency of the investigation.
The authorities have already located Kyran’s mother, Dayla Durnin, but despite this, no new leads have emerged regarding the boy’s whereabouts. Gardaí have stated there is no evidence to suggest Kyran is still alive. A public appeal for information continues, and vigils have been held in both Dundalk and Drogheda, with community members offering support to Kyran’s father and paternal grandmother, who have also made emotional pleas for information.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has weighed in on the case, acknowledging that serious failures occurred in Kyran’s situation. Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Harris expressed heartbreak over the case. “This child was failed, failed badly. An eight-year-old little boy disappearing and going unnoticed is utterly heartbreaking,” he said. Harris assured the public that the government will seek accountability and answers as to how this tragic situation unfolded.
As the search continues, Gardaí have also received full cooperation from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, which revealed that it raised “significant concerns” about Kyran’s welfare back in August 2024. Tusla confirmed it is conducting an internal review of its interactions with Kyran and his family, stating: “In August 2024, we alerted An Garda Síochána in relation to a significant concern about Kyran. Since then, we have continued to assist and work closely with Gardaí.”
Tusla emphasized that while Kyran was not in its care, the agency had engaged with the family. A notification has been sent to the National Review Panel, which independently reviews serious cases involving children known to the agency.
Kyran was officially reported missing from his home in Drogheda on August 30, 2024. Investigators now suspect he may have been missing much longer, with the last confirmed sighting of Kyran occurring at the end of the 2021–2022 school year in Dundalk, when he was six years old.
The search operation at the house in Dundalk, located on Emer Terrace, began yesterday after Gardaí obtained a District Court Order. The Chief Superintendent confirmed that a thorough search of the house and its garden is ongoing, and that Gardaí are acting on all available information in hopes of solving the case.
Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman has also ordered urgent action in the case, requesting that Tusla share its files on Kyran with the National Review Panel to help investigators understand the agency’s involvement. He added that if any part of the State is found to have failed in its duty, there will be consequences.
As investigations continue, the public is urged to come forward with any information that may assist Gardaí in their search for answers and justice for Kyran Durnin. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí.