Police in Ireland have launched a murder investigation following the disappearance of an eight-year-old boy.
Kyran Durnin was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co Louth, on August 30. He was last seen on August 28 at around 11pm, according to reports.
The schoolboy is now presumed dead, and police reportedly suspect he may have died violently.
Despite weeks of searching, Irish police said today that they had been unable to find any evidence that Kyran is still alive.
Gardai had also issued a missing person’s appeal for Kyran’s mother, Dayla Durnin, on September 4, but the appeal was stood down this morning.
Irish police said in their statement on the youngster’s disappearance: ‘Despite extensive enquiries carried out by gardai to date, An Garda Siochana have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive.
‘Following enquiries to date, investigating Gardai now believe that Kyran is missing presumed dead. A murder investigation has been commenced.’
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The probe is being led by a senior investigation officer based out of an incident room established at Drogheda Garda Station.
Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, is working closely and fully co-operating with the Garda investigation.