The case of eight-year-old Kyran Durnin, who Gardaí say was last seen at his home in Drogheda, Co Louth in late August, has been upgraded to a murder investigation, An Garda Síochána announced today, Wednesday, October 16.
Kyran and his 24-year-old mother Dayla Durnin were the subject of a missing persons appeal launched by An Garda Síochána on September 4.
At the time, Gardaí said that the mother and son had last been seen at their home in Drogheda, Co Louth on August 28 at approximately 11 pm. They were reported missing on August 30.
In an update on Wednesday, however, Gardaí said the appeal for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Dayla had been stood down.
While Gardaí did not offer any further details about Dayla on Wednesday, The Irish Times reports that she was located alive in the UK.
Additionally, The Irish Times, as well as other Irish outlets, reported on Wednesday that Gardaí are investigating if Kyran actually died months before he was reported missing in August. Gardaí did not disclose that angle of their investigation in the updates they published on Wednesday.
"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," Gardaí said in their update on Wednesday morning.
"Following enquiries to date, investigating Gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing presumed dead.
"A murder investigation has been commenced."
Gardaí in Louth investigating Kyran's disappearance are now appealing to the public for information. The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) based out of an incident room established at Drogheda Garda Station.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has any information in connection with the disappearance of Kyran to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team," Gardaí said. "This information will be treated in the strictest confidence."
No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.
The updates come about three weeks after Dayla's mother Rhonda Byrne Tyson issued her own appeal for her daughter to get in touch.
Rhonda told Drogheda Life that Dayla and Kyran, as well as Dayla's two other young children, had been staying at her home for some time.
Rhonda said she last saw Dayla on August 28 when she went to bed at about 11 pm. When Rhonda got up early the next morning, both Dayla and Kyran, who had been sleeping on the couch, were gone from the house.
Dayla had left a note on the table saying that she needed to get away for a few days, Rhonda said. She added that Dayla had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year and spent most of the summer in hospital and now she has to inject herself five times a day.
“I’m worried sick,” Rhonda told Drogheda Life.
“I know that she got a supply of medication recently but I’m really terrified about what will happen when that runs out.”
Rhonda said she had been calling Dayla’s phone several times a day since she disappeared, but her calls went straight to voicemail. She thinks her number has been blocked.
“I just want to tell Dayla to please get in touch and tell us that she and Kyran are alright," Rhonda said.
"The children and I are all worried sick and we miss her very much."
In an appeal directly to her daughter, Rhonda said: “I know you’re a very strong and independent woman but we can all get a bit overwhelmed at times and things can get on top of us.
“Please, please pick up the phone and tell us you and Kyran are okay. Your girls are missing you dreadfully, they don’t understand what’s going on and why you are not at home with them.
“Everyone is just so worried and all our hearts are broken. You are the only person that knows where Kyran is and all of his family want him home safe and sound.
“All the children really miss you, we are all heartbroken. Please let us know you are both okay."
Comments