Kyran Durnin latest: More arrests expected as ‘co-conspirators’ suspected of covering up boy’s disappearance

Gardai reportedly expect to make more arrests in their investigation into the suspected murder of Kyran Durnin, the boy who has been missing for two years and is presumed dead.

Yesterday, a woman in her 20s who is the chief suspect in the murder of the boy, who would now be eight years old, was arrested after she returned to Ireland from overseas.

Now, further arrests of suspected “co-conspirators” who helped to cover up the boy's disappearance are expected, the Irish Independent reports. The paper also claims detectives made the arrest yesterday after they were made aware that a woman, who is well known to Kyran, has arrived in Ireland by ferry.

Read more: Kyran Durnin latest: Tusla received no referrals from school over child’s attendance

Read more: Kyran Durnin: Latest information about the mysterious disappearance of the young boy

“There are people out there who wittingly or unwittingly were involved in a cover-up,” a source told the paper. “Did they know the boy was alive or dead when they got involved in giving false accounts?

“It is not necessarily about what these people have said to gardaí – it is about their interactions with other state agencies and the local community in general.

“Some individuals have said they have seen the child alive when the boy was not physically seen for two years. This is a complicated case like no other in the history of the State.”

In a statement released yesterday, Gardai confirmed the significant development in the case, stating: "Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin (8 years) have today, Tuesday 10th December 2024, arrested a female on suspicion of murder."

"The woman is being detained under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the East of the Country."

"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."

What we know so far: Timeline of Kyran Durnin's disappearance

May 2022: The last confirmed sighting of Kyran is when he is a six-year-old junior infant student at a local national school in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He is a pupil there until approximately the end of the 2021/2022 primary school year. Kyran is said to be taken out of school after contracting Covid-19. The school says the family informed them they were moving to Northern Ireland and Kyran would not be returning for the next school year.

30th August 2024: Kyran and his mother are reported missing. The report claims they were last seen at about 11pm on the 28th of August, 2024. Kyran’s grandmother shares several appeals on social media saying: “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."

4th September 2024: Kyran’s mother was located safe and well in the UK.

16th October 2024: Gardaí issue an appeal for information into the disappearance of Kyran and say he is now “missing presumed dead”.

21st October 2024: Investigating Gardaí take possession of a house in Emer Terrace, Dundalk acting under a search warrant. The house was Kyran’s family home for a period of years up to May 2024. The search reportedly brings no significant evidence into Kyran's disappearance.

22nd October 2024: In a statement, Tusla, the child and family agency, says it alerted Garda to a “significant concern” in August this year.

"We can confirm that whilst Kyran was not in the care of Tusla, our services had engaged with both he and his family. In August 2024, we alerted An Garda Síochána in relation to a significant concern about Kyran.

"Since August, we have continued to assist and work closely with the Gardaí, and in line with normal practice, all relevant information has been shared.

"We can also confirm that, as appropriate, a notification has been sent to the National Review Panel, whose responsibility is to independently review cases of serious incidents involving children in care or known to Tusla. We have also commenced an internal review, to look at our engagements and interactions with Kyran and his family."

4th November 2024: The chief executive of Tusla explains on RTE Radio 1 that Kyran's disappearance went unnoticed by the agency for so long because it "received no referrals of concern either through our child protection welfare services or our educational support services."

10th December 2024: Gardai confirm they have made an arrest of a women on suspicion of murder. The women is said to have returned from overseas by ferry on the same day a BBC documentary is scheduled to air covering the case.