The disappearance of the boy was unexpected

A formal review into the disappearance of Kyran Durnin, a young schoolboy in Ireland, has determined that his vanishing "could not have been predicted based on the information available" to Tusla, the state child welfare agency.

Kyran went missing from his Drogheda, County Louth home in August 2024. The last known photographs of him date back to June 2022, when he was six years old.

In October 2024, Garda (Irish police) opened a murder investigation, treating Kyran as missing and presumed dead.

The National Review Panel (NRP), which examines cases where children in care or under child protection services face serious incidents, led the review. Dr. Helen Buckley, head of the NRP, stated that "the serious incident could not have been anticipated from the knowledge available to Tusla at that time." She acknowledged that although "policy and practice shortcomings" were identified, no direct causal link to Kyran's disappearance could be established.

The review recommended measures such as monitoring student movements between primary schools, including cross-border tracking, reassessing GDPR guidance, updating social worker instructions, and reviewing the Tusla-Garda cooperation protocol.

Despite extensive investigations, Kyran has not been located, and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unknown. Garda have conducted over 570 investigative actions, made two arrests on suspicion of murder, searched three residences and adjoining properties, and reviewed more than 29,500 hours of CCTV footage.

The Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley, explained that the full report could not be published due to the risk of affecting potential prosecutions, but the reviews recommendations could be shared. She described the case as "heartbreaking" and confirmed that the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 has Cabinet approval, aiming to place the NRP on a statutory basis, granting powers to compel evidence and issue reports.

Tusla Chief Executive Kate Duggan emphasized the need for "full transparency and meaningful reform," committing the agency to review its engagement with children, families, and other services, with independent evaluation by the NRP.

Confirmed Timeline of Events

• 20212022: Kyran attended a primary school near Dundalk but did not return after the 2022 summer break.
• May 2024: The Durnin family moved from their Emer Terrace home in Dundalk.
• August 2024: Tusla raised concerns about Kyran with Garda.
• 28 August 2024: Last reported sighting of Kyran and his mother in Drogheda.
• 30 August 2024: Kyran and his mother, Dayla Durnin, 24, reported missing.
• 4 September 2024: Garda issued a public appeal for information.
• 16 October 2024: Police stated Kyran is "missing, presumed dead" and confirmed a murder inquiry.
• 21 October 2024: Garda took possession of the Durnins' former home under a search warrant.
• 22 October 2024: Forensic examination of the house, garden, and surrounding land began.

Author: Gavin Porter