Urgent Inquiry on Missing Boy Kyran Durnin Set for September Meeting

UPDATE: A private meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality will address the case of missing Louth schoolboy Kyran Durnin, presumed dead, later this month. The meeting is scheduled for the week following the Dáil’s return on September 17, 2024, amid growing concerns regarding the role of State agencies in protecting vulnerable children.

Kyran, who was reported missing in September 2024, had been known to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, prior to his disappearance. This alarming situation raises critical questions about child welfare oversight, especially since another child currently missing in Donabate, Dublin, is also linked to Tusla.

Member of the committee and Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú emphasized that these cases have unveiled significant flaws in how State agencies manage the welfare of children. He stated, “We need to know for certain that no other child has fallen through the system.”

The committee plans to summon relevant agencies, with Tusla likely to face scrutiny. Deputy Ó Murchú criticized Tusla’s handling of cases, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when many cases were closed without adequate follow-up.

Authorities reported that an extensive investigation into Kyran’s disappearance has involved over 570 investigative actions, including two arrests and multiple property searches, along with a review of more than 29,500 hours of CCTV footage. Gardaí continue to seek information, urging the public to come forward with any details, no matter how small, that could aid the investigation.

Kyran was last seen in June 2022, when he was just six years old. He was reported missing along with his mother, who was later located safe in the UK, but without Kyran. Gardaí declared him “missing presumed dead” the following month, igniting widespread searches in Dundalk and Drogheda. Despite two arrests last December, no charges were filed, leaving many questions unanswered.

The urgency of this situation has intensified following the recent revelation of another missing child, known to Tusla, which has prompted renewed calls for systemic reform. Deputy Ó Murchú noted that Tusla’s past inaction, particularly during the pandemic, has raised “deeply worrying” concerns about child safety.

In a hopeful development, Tusla plans to conduct welfare checks on approximately 38,000 children it had contact with during the COVID-19 lockdowns, following pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Deputy Ó Murchú insisted that it is crucial to establish a “look-back mechanism” to ensure the ongoing welfare of children previously involved with the agency.

He concluded, “These two cases have shocked the country, and we are no closer to knowing what happened or what could have been done better by the agencies involved.” The pressure mounts as the public awaits answers and accountability in the tragic circumstances surrounding Kyran Durnin and the recent missing child case.

As investigations continue, the urgency for reforms in child welfare protocols has never been clearer. Gardaí are appealing for information through Drogheda Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line, urging anyone with knowledge to step forward. The community remains on high alert as the search for Kyran and answers for his case persist.