Authorities in Drogheda, County Louth, have initiated a search of a property in connection with the suspected murder of a six-year-old schoolboy who vanished over two years ago.
Kyran Durnin went missing from his Drogheda residence in August of last year, but investigators believe he may have met his demise more than two years prior to that. In October, the authorities launched a murder inquiry, stating that Kyran is being treated as missing, presumed deceased. In the same month, a dig was conducted at his former family home in Emer Terrace, Dundalk, but no trace of his remains was found.
Kyran, along with his mother Dayla Durnin, was initially reported missing in August 2024. One of Kyran’s grandmothers stated that she had last seen them at her Drogheda home, appealing for Dayla to get in touch. Subsequently, Dayla was located alive in Great Britain without Kyran.
During the investigation into the schoolboy’s disappearance, two individuals were taken into custody. A man and a woman were arrested within days of each other in mid-December, but were both released without charge within 24 hours. The man, who was detained on suspicion of Kyran’s murder, was discovered deceased at his Drogheda residence shortly after his release. He was identified as 36-year-old Anthony Maguire.
Confirming the ongoing search at a residential property in Drogheda, the police acknowledged the widespread public discussion surrounding the case. They cautioned against inaccurate and uninformed speculation, emphasizing the disruption this causes to their inquiries and the additional distress it inflicts upon the families involved.
A Garda van and car are stationed near the house on a narrow residential street, which is cordoned off. Authorities are conducting searches away from public view. The neighborhood features traditional residential architecture with rooftop TV antennas and crisscrossing electrical and telephone wires. While the police carry out their search inside, locals are going about their daily routines, mostly keeping their thoughts on the matter to themselves.
Kyran attended a national school close to his Dundalk home until the summer of 2022. Following the summer break, he did not return to school, reportedly relocating to Northern Ireland and enrolling in a school in Newry. The child welfare agency, Tusla, confirmed no concerns were raised regarding Kyran’s attendance or educational welfare between 2022 and 2024.
In December, searches were conducted at two properties in Drogheda, including one with the assistance of a cadaver dog. The outcomes of these searches have not been disclosed. The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, remarked that this case is unprecedented in his four-decade law enforcement career spanning both sides of the border.
In a chilling turn of events, a series of events unfolded in August 2024 that shook the community of Drogheda to its core. It all started with a concerning report from Tusla, the Irish state agency overseeing child protection, about a young boy named Kyran. The agency alerted gardaà about what they described as “a significant concern” regarding the child.
Fast forward to August 30th, and Kyran, along with his 24-year-old mother, Dayla Durnin, were reported missing from their residence in Drogheda. The sudden disappearance of the mother and son duo sparked fear and uncertainty among locals, prompting the Gardaà to issue a public appeal for any information that could help locate them.
As weeks passed without any sign of Dayla and Kyran, the authorities made a grim announcement on October 16th. Gardaà declared that Kyran was now considered “missing, presumed dead,” launching a full-fledged murder inquiry into the case. This revelation sent shockwaves through the community, heightening concerns about the safety of the missing individuals.
In a desperate bid for answers, investigators turned their attention to Kyran’s former family home in Emer Terrace, Dundalk. The property, along with its surrounding grounds, became the focus of intense forensic scrutiny in the hopes of uncovering clues that could shed light on the mysterious disappearance of the young boy and his mother.
Despite these meticulous efforts, the search in Dundalk concluded on October 24th with authorities choosing to withhold the results for operational reasons. The decision to keep the findings under wraps only added to the air of intrigue and speculation surrounding the case, leaving many wondering what secrets lay buried beneath the surface.
In a puzzling development, Tusla opted not to release its review of the interactions it had with Kyran’s family, citing a cyber attack that resulted in the loss of crucial information about the case. This unexpected setback further complicated the already convoluted narrative, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of the agencies involved in the investigation.
The plot thickened on December 10th when a woman was apprehended by the Gardaà in connection to Kyran’s disappearance and suspected murder. However, she was subsequently released without charge the following day, leaving authorities back at square one in their quest for justice.
Just two days later, on December 12th, a breakthrough seemed imminent as two residences in Drogheda were raided, leading to the arrest of a man on suspicion of Kyran’s murder. Yet, similar to the previous suspect, he too was released without charge on the subsequent day, leaving the case unresolved and the community on edge.
The tragic saga took a harrowing turn on December 17th when the man previously detained by authorities, identified as 36-year-old Anthony Maguire, was discovered lifeless at his residence in Drogheda. The sudden demise of the individual linked to the investigation added a somber layer of complexity to an already perplex
