The case of Kyran Durnin has "utterly horrified" Taoiseach Simon Harris, as the murder investigation continues in Dundalk.
Simon Harris said he cannot comprehend how an eight-year-old boy could disappear like this.
"For any of us as a human being, for any of us as a parent, to think that a child can affectively dissapear, go unnoticed, and not be noticed that they're not there is utterly heartbreaking," the Taoiseach said.
"Clearly something went extraordinarily wrong here," he said.
"This child was failed, was failed badly."
'The case of Kyran Durnin is deeply disturbing'
Taoiseach Simon Harris pledges to 'get to the bottom of this' pic.twitter.com/FfQjgk7TEH
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 22, 2024
Search operation
A search operation is being carried out a house in Dundalk, County Louth this morning, as part of the investigation into the eight-year-old's disappearance.
Gardaí have confirmed the house they are searching was the family home of the missing child for a number of years.
The property on Emer Terrace is understood to have been the family home until May this year.
The house, garden and grounds adjoining the property are being searched and technical and forensic examinations will also be carried out.
Kyran was reported missing at the end of August but Gardaí believe he may have died two-years ago.
The case has now been upgraded to a murder investigation.
Gardaí statement
Garda Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said in a press conference that the people currently living in the house are not connected to the eight-year-old's disappearance.
"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 Superintendent said.
'We want to discover what happened to Kyran'
Gardaí appeal to the public for information surrounding the disappearance of Kyran Durnin
📷: @BarryWhyte85 pic.twitter.com/F4LG6PvtUx
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 22, 2024
"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.
"An Garda Síochána's sole focus and primary concern, and that of the investigation team is Kyran.
"We want to discover where Kyran is. We want to discover what has happened to Kyran."
A grandmother of Kyran has appealed on social media for anyone with information on his whereabouts to make it known at their local Garda station.
Additional reporting by Molly Cantwell.
