Search Focuses on Possible Remains of Boy Previously in Care
Gardaรญ are conducting โขa large-scale search in Donabate, north County Dublin, focusing on aโฃ plot of land off Portrane Road, as part of an investigation into the disappearance ofโค a young โboy now โstrongly suspected to be deceased. The investigation began last Friday after Tusla, theโฃ child and family agency, contacted authorities โwithโ serious welfare concerns.
For a โperiod prior โto being returned to his family, the boy had been in the โcare of Tusla. According to a statement from Tusla, no new referrals or facts of concern regarding the child were received until last week, prompting their contact โขwith Gardaรญ.
The Garda investigation, led by a senior investigating officer from Swords Garda station, has so far been unable toโ locate the boy, identify his current whereabouts, or confirm he is still alive. Gardaโ Commissioner โJustin Kelly stated the inquiry is a “huge priority.” He also emphasized that withholding information is a criminal offense.
The โsearchโค commenced on Tuesday morning, involving a Garda search โteam and a cadaver dog. A โspecificโ area of the land was cordoned off, and excavation is anticipated toโ continue forโ several days. The operation was suspended overnight and is expected to resume Wednesday.Investigators have interviewed membersโข of the โboy’s family, including his parents. โThe initial โคconcerns arose from checks made regarding a social welfare payment related toโฃ the child. Theseโข checks prompted Tusla to investigate further and ultimately alert Gardaรญ.
Based on interviews, Gardaรญ โคnow believe the boy may have been dead โfor a number ofโ years. they are currently working to determine the circumstances surrounding his death – whether it was accidental, โdueโ to natural causes, or involvedโข foul play.
A property at The Gallery, Donabate, where the child is believed to have lived around โฃthe time he disappeared, was sealed off โover the weekend for a forensic examination.
Tusla statedโ it is cooperating with the Garda investigation and โresponding to queries “to be open and transparent with the public without impacting”โ the ongoing inquiry. They also confirmed โฃthat, as standard procedure, a review of their engagement withโ the child has been sent to the National Review Panel due to the serious nature of the case.
Garda Headquarters has appealed to anyone with informationโ toโค come forward.