Woman arrested by gardaí investigating Kyran Durnin murder

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

A woman has been arrested by gardai investigating the disappearance and murder of a six-year-old boy.

Kyran Durnin was reported missing in August 2024, but gardaí believe he may have died two years earlier.

At the time he was reported missing, Kyran had not been seen since May 2022, when he had been a pupil at a primary school in Dundalk.

A murder investigation was launched in October 2024.

On Monday, An Garda Síochana said a woman in her 50s was being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a garda station in the eastern region.

A search is also being carried out at a home in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The woman is the third person to be arrested as part of the investigation.

A man and a woman were arrested in connection with the probe into Kyran’s murder months after the investigation was launched in 2024.

They were released without charge. In December 2024, the man – aged in his 30s – was found dead.

Three other properties have been searched previously.

Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said he was pleased there has been a development in relation to “this horrific crime”.

He said while he would not comment in relation to the ongoing garda investigation: “Obviously there are people out there who have information in respect of this crime, and that information should be brought to the attention of An Garda Siochana.

“The only mechanism in order that justice can be served in Ireland is if the gardai investigate, have sufficient information to pass on to the DPP for a prosecution, and then our courts deal with the matter.

“So, anyone who has information in respect of Kyran Durnin needs to give that information to An Garda Siochana.”