Gardaí issue heartbreaking statement amid house search for missing boy Kyran Durnin

"We want to discover where Kyran is. We want to discover what has happened to Kyran," Garda Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern has said in a heartbreaking statement amid a search of a house once home to missing eight-year-old Kyran Durnin.

Gardaí have said Kyran was known to be attending school in Dundalk two years ago but was only the subject of a missing persons appeal a few weeks ago along with his mother who has since been located alive. Gardaí now presume the youngster, who attended school in Dundalk in 2021-22, is dead but continue to appeal for information to solve the mystery.

In his statement, Chief Superintendent McGovern said: "Last Wednesday, October 16, 2024 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, Monday, October 21, 2024, acting under a Search Warrant, Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Kyran Durnin took possession of a private house on Emer Terrace, Dundalk.

"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," he added.

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He explained: "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 August 30, 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," they confirmed.

"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.

"Following enquiries to date investigating gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing, presumed dead.

"A murder investigation has been commenced, under the direction of a Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) based out of an incident room established at Drogheda Garda Station.

"An Garda Síochána is liaising closely with other state agencies, including TUSLA, who are co-operating and assisting fully with this murder investigation.

"I want to thank members of the public who have contacted the Garda investigation team to date. 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," Superintendent McGovern said.

"I continue to appeal to anyone who has any information in connection with the disappearance of Kyran to contact investigating Gardaí.

"Do not rule out any information that you may have.

"Please do not assume that the investigation team know the information that you may have.

"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"You can contact the Garda Investigation Team at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána," he concluded.

Thank You."