'We want to discover where Kyran is': Gardaí to search three other houses in Drogheda
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Widespread shock greeted the start of a search at a house in Dundalk for missing eight-year-old Kyran Durnin, who is presumed dead.
A female garda stood in the doorway of the terraced former family home of little Kyran, which faces a busy main road and is just yards from a primary school.
The current tenants of the house, who are completely unconnected to the garda investigation in any way, saw their home become the focus of the search. Little Kyran, who was last seen two years ago, but was only reported missing on August 30 this year, once lived at the address for at least two years.
Gardaí are also expected to search at least three other addresses in the coming days in Drogheda. Speaking outside Dundalk garda station, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said officers have taken possession of a private house in Emer Terrace.
"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," Mr McGovern said.
"The house is known to have been Kyran's family home for a period of years up to May 2024.
"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 the 30th August 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.
"Despite extensive inquiries carried out by gardaí to date, we have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive.
"Following inquiries to date, investigating gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing, presumed dead."
A number of vigils have taken place in both Drogheda and Dundalk for the missing child. Kyran’s father attended a vigil on Sunday night in Drogheda at St Peter’s church with his family.
His paternal grandmother later posted an appeal online, along with a photograph of him.
She wrote: “This is my grandson Kyran. If anyone has any information about him or his whereabouts, can you please contact your local Garda Station. He needs to be found as soon as possible."
Once news of the search of the house in Dundalk was announced, locals began to congregate in small groups across the road while drivers stared out their windows, some shaking their heads.
Garda forensics finished the search at around 7pm and were due to restart again on Wednesday morning, examining both inside and outside the house.
Neighbour Ashia Kyaisha from Pakistan said he was “overwhelmed" by what was happening.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s real. A child missing like that, and nobody notices? Anywhere in the world this is strange and very sad and tragic."
Father and son Tom and Shane Crilly from Castleblayney also expressed their shock at the unfolding situation.
“I heard it on the news, and we go by here every day,” said Mr Crilly Snr.
“What was happening at all? How did nobody notice or say something sooner? I don’t understand it."
Kyran Durin was known to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.
Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern went on: "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. Our 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. 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.
“This information will be treated in the strictest confidence."
The Taoiseach Simon Harris said Kyran was "failed badly" and that something went "extraordinarily wrong" in his case.