Gardaí believe an eight-year-old boy who is ‘missing, presumed dead’ in Drogheda may have died over two years ago.

A murder investigation was launched yesterday into the disappearance of missing child Kyran Durnin.

Gardaí began searching for Kyran six weeks ago when he was reported missing by someone known to him.

In the weeks since they have been unable to find Kyran or uncover “any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive” in the weeks since.

Following “extensive enquiries”, investigators now believe that Kyran is missing, presumed dead and have launched a murder inquiry.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Irish Sun Crime Correspondent John Hand said Gardaí now believe Kyran has been missing for “far longer” than six weeks.

“Kyran Durnin was first reported missing about six-and-a-half weeks ago by someone known to him,” he said.

“At that time on August 30th, the Gardaí’s information was that Kyran had been seen two days prior to that report.

“Gardaí spent that time investigating this missing persons case, and were establishing facts around this - and that brought them to the belief that Kyran had actually been missing for far longer than that.

"My understanding is that it they could only firmly establish that the last known public sighting of Kyran was in May 2022 - so not two days before that report was made, but in fact two years and three months."

Search efforts

Despite ‘extensive efforts’, Gardaí have not found any information suggesting that Kyran is currently alive, said Mr Hand.

“That has now led them to the strong belief that the young boy is dead and may have been murdered,” he said.

“A senior investigating officer has been appointed, but no arrests have been made yet,” Mr Hand continued.

“There is no crime scene, and they have not discovered anybody yet.

“They have to establish exactly what happened around this case - and there is an urgency in terms of trying to get information from the public.”

Gardaí are appealing to members of the public to come forward with any information on the case – noting that “any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team.”