Gardai believe they 'know who was responsible for little Kyran's death'

Although there is no formal suspect in the case of Kyran there is a person of interest in the investigation, sources say

Gardai now believe they know who was responsible for the death of little Kyran Durnin - but don’t have enough evidence to arrest them.

And, a day after gardaí launched a murder hunt over the disappearance of the child, sources have told The Irish Mirror that investigators suspect that the main person of interest is being protected by key associates.

“There is a conspiracy of silence to protect them,” a source said. “The only way they will be arrested is if one of the people protecting them cracks and talks to the investigation team."

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Although there is no formal suspect in the case of Kyran – who was six when he was last seen in May 2022 – there is a person of interest in the investigation, sources say. But, because of the lack of evidence – including Kyran’s remains – gardaí cannot arrest the person of interest. Sources now say the investigation – formally upgraded from a missing person probe to a murder inquiry on Wednesday – is now likely to be long and complex.

A source said: “The team is working night and day to solve this and also to find Kyran so he can be given a proper burial. But unless something dramatic happens in the coming days, the inquiry is going to be slow and methodical.”

Kyran, who has two siblings was reported missing in his native Drogheda on August 30, but gardai fear he may have been dead for more than two years.

It was initially treated as a missing person’s case, but on Wednesday gardai upgraded it to murder. That’s despite no evidence of how he died – or where his body is.

Officers had been frantically searching for the child following his disappearance – but have now concluded he is dead and have launched a murder probe.

Despite a major search and repeated public appeals for help in tracing him, no sign of the boy has been found.

The force said it took the decision to launch a murder probe because they have found no evidence he is alive.

A Garda spokesman said: “Kyran was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co. Louth, to An Garda Síochána on the 30th August 2024.

“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.

“Following enquiries to date, investigating Gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing presumed dead. A murder investigation has been commenced.”

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.

Kyran is described as being 3 feet 3 inches in height, with a medium build, brown eyes and brown hair.

When last seen, Kyran was wearing a navy zip-up windbreaker and black runners.

It is extremely rare for gardaí to upgrade missing persons cases to murder – and that shows how seriously officers are taking this disappearance.

Meanwhile, Tusla last night said it was working closely with gardaí over the case.

The Child and Family Agency was liaising with gardaí checking for Kyran’s attendance records at schools.

It told RTÉ News last night: "Tusla cannot comment on individual cases, and in particular we are conscious that there is an ongoing Garda investigation into this sensitive case.

"We will continue to work closely with Gardaí and other parties as required at this time."

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