A vigil was held for missing schoolboy Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk on Monday evening. Kyran was reported missing along with his mother in August and while his mother has been located, Kyran is still missing. Gardaí have stated that they suspect eight year old Kyran was killed up to two years ago and they have launched a murder investigation. Kyren had been attending a school in Dundalk up until the end of senior infants in 2022.
Last week gardaí began a search at a house in Emer Terrace, Dundalk which was the former family home of Kyran’s up until May this year. The results of the search are not being released due to ‘operational purposes’.
On Monday evening local people gathered at Market Square with some holding candles underneath a picture of Kyran which was being displayed on the large advertising screen above Panama Coffee Shop. Underneath the picture was the message ‘Where is wee Kyran?”
It is anticipated that other locations will be searched by the gardaí in the coming weeks. Posting on social media, Brittany McEnteggart, who organised the vigil, said the purpose of the vigils was to ensure Kyran was kept at the forefront of the news.
“Tonight we had our second vigil, and had more media involved, as well as more local councillor which was amazing,” stated Brittanny.
“We won’t stop holding these until your case is solved Kyran. Dundalk loves you. Thank you to each and everyone of you who came tonight, and lit a candle, and showed support near and far. Thank you to those who lit a candle if you couldn’t make it. Until next time. Keep a candle lit for little Kyran,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, it has been reported in the Irish Independent that Tusla, the national child and family agency had lost information on the case of Kyran Durnin, following the well documented cyber attack on Irish health service computer systems in May 2021. Although Tusla are prohibited from commenting on the details of individual cases a statement from the organisation acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the case of Kyren Durnin.
“It is important to note that when we receive allegations from a child – or from an adult reflecting on when they were a child – that we are obliged to carry out a complete assessment. We also accept that because of the nature and complexity of these situations, the systems and processes involved in doing this need to be extremely robust. In this case, it appears there were some failures and these are the subject of our internal review, the conclusions of which will be made public.
“Tusla regrets that this situation has arisen and deeply apologises for distress caused. It does not reflect the high standards that we hold ourselves to and we want to assure the public that we will take whatever steps are required to ensure that nothing like this happens again,” read the statement.
Anyone who has any information in connection with the disappearance of Kyran is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station.
