Kyran Durnin is missing and presumed dead. Gardai
A male has been arrested on suspicion of murder as part of the investigation into the disappearance and murder of eight-year-old Co Louth boy Kyran Durnin, Gardaí announced today, Thursday, December 12.
The man is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the east of the country, Gardaí said on Thursday.
Investigating Gardaí also announced they were searching at two locations, domestic houses, in Drogheda in Co Louth on Thursday. The search at one of the residences has since concluded.
"Further details of this search are not being released for operational reasons," Gardaí said in their second update on Thursday.
The male arrested on suspicion of murder continues to be detained under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the east of the country.
A search at the second house is continuing and is expected to continue for "a period of time," Gardaí said, adding that "the house and gardens will be subject to intrusive search and subject to technical and forensic examinations."
December 12, 2024: Gardai search a property in Co Louth as part of the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin. (RollingNews.ie)
The search is being carried out by the Divisional Search team, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau, Divisional Scene of Crime and Forensic Science Ireland.
The search is also being supported by a specialist Cadaver dog.
"The purpose of these searches is to discover any evidence which might provide us with information as to Kyran's current whereabouts or what has happened to Kyran," Gardaí said.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person with any information on the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, "no matter how insignificant it may seem," to 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.
Thursday's arrest is the second this week as part of the investigation into the disappearance and murder of eight-year-old Kyran Durnin.
A woman in her 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday but was released without charge the following day.
The initial appeal for information about Kyran Durnin was issued by Gardaí on September 4. In their appeal, Gardaí requested the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Dayla Durnin, 24, and her son Kyran Durnin, 8, who had both last been seen on the night of August 28 and were reported missing on August 30.
Later, on October 16, Gardaí confirmed that the search for Dayla Durnin was being stood down. It is understood that Dayla was located in the UK.
That same day, Gardaí said that despite extensive enquiries, they had found no information about Kyran's whereabouts - or any evidence that he is currently alive.
As such, Gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing presumed dead, and a murder investigation has been launched.
On October 22, Gardaí commenced a search of a private property and adjoining open lands at Emer Terrance in Dundalk, Co Louth.
The private property was known "to have been Kyran’s family home for a period of years up to May 2024," Gardaí said as the search commenced. They added that the current tenants of the property are not connected in any way with Kyran or his disappearance.
October 22, 2024: Garda forensics technical bureau teams at the house on Emer Terrace in Dundalk. (RollingNews.ie)
On October 24, Gardaí said they had completed searches and the results are not being released for operational purposes.
Meanwhile, sources have claimed that Kyran may have actually been dead for up to two years prior to being reported missing and that a different boy was presented to social workers and also to schools after fresh concerns were raised about the Co Louth boy.
This week's updates are the first major updates from Gardaí since October.