Gardaí expected to make more arrests over Kyran Durnin murder despite suspect's death
Credit: Maguire Picture Anthony Reach
Gardaí investigating the murder of young Kyran Durnin are expected to proceed with further searches and more arrests in the weeks ahead, despite the sudden death of a suspect.
Anthony Maguire, aged 36, was found dead at his home in Drogheda on Tuesday morning.
It is understood that the circumstances in which he was found and the nature of his death, together with no sign of forced entry, strongly suggest he had taken his own life.
An autopsy will confirm cause of death for investigators.
It is not clear whether or not Mr Maguire left any note or information, but if he did, this will be closely examined by gardaí.
Mr Maguire was one of two people arrested last week for the murder of Kyran, who was aged six when he was last seen alive in the middle of 2022.
They were the first people to be arrested in the investigation, marking a significant development in garda inquiries.
The other person, a woman aged in her 20s, was arrested on Tuesday, followed by Mr Maguire’s arrest on Thursday. Both of them were known to Kyran.
Concerns have been expressed that his death could be a significant blow to the investigation, including efforts to find Kyran’s body, but various sources spoke to dispute this.
Just hours before Mr Maguire’s body was discovered, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on RTÉ’s on Monday night indicated that further progress was expected.
“There will be more investigative actions in the weeks ahead,” he said. “There may well be further arrests, I’m not ruling that out, and that is a definite possibility.”
It is understood the investigation could include more searches of homes and gardens.
Detectives have at least one major suspect who has not yet been arrested. This person is known to the woman and the two of them are thought to have, at least until now, strong associations.
In addition, there is another person who is also known to the woman.
The woman had been living in England at the home of a man, thought to be aged in his 60s. For reasons unknown, she decided, with her partner, to travel back to Louth last Tuesday but was arrested by gardaí shortly after stepping off the ferry.
Gardaí have been trying to gather information on what role, if any, each of the people had in either being involved in the boy’s death or in covering it up.
Gardaí suspect that Mr Maguire tried to cover up Kyran’s disappearance by deceiving Tusla child protection staff who were looking for Kyran.
Detectives were trying to establish what more Mr Maguire knew about what happened to Kyran.
Mr Maguire had a violent past, but it is thought that it was 14 years ago when he was in court, on that occasion for punching a teenager, when he was 21.
It is understood that detectives did not get much of value from their interviews with him, similar to the interviews with the woman.
Gardaí also conducted two searches last week, including an “intrusive” search of Mr Maguire’s home and back garden, involving a digger and a cadaver dog, used to find scent of human remains.
“The death of one of the two suspects clearly has an impact, it is a complication no doubt and he takes to his grave whatever information he had, but it does not affect the overall investigation,” one source said.
A second source said: “There are still a few people who have information and the impact of the death could go either way, it could harden their resolve or it could put even further pressure on them or one of them.”
Mr Maguire’s death could have an impact further down the road when the investigation file is sent to the DPP in weighing up evidence.
The woman returned to England with her partner soon after she was released last Wednesday.
While gardaí have some information as to where she is living, there is nothing to prevent her from moving elsewhere.