Search for missing boy feared dead continues in Dublin

Eva Osborne

The search for a missing boy who is feared dead in Dublin is continuing.

Gardaí have cordoned off an area of grassland in Donabate and are continuing to carry out inquiries.

The child, who would now be seven, has been unaccounted for for a number of years.

A search of open ground began in Donabate this week after concerns for the boy were raised by Tusla on Friday.

Tusla said it had engaged with the missing child’s family five years ago.

This is the second case of a child living in Ireland who was missing for years before the case came to the attention of authorities.

Kyran Durnin, who would be nine this year if still alive, was reported missing in August last year and a murder investigation was launched in October.

Mayor of Fingal, Tom O'Leary, said he sympathises with those affected.

"It would be a shock to anyone. You'd want to be made of stone to not be shocked by this," he said.

"So I don't know what I can say except I send my sympathies to everyone. There isn't a conlcusion yet but I hope it concludes soon."