Boy who is presumed dead was known to Child protective services since shortly after he was born

His parents had been due to put him up for adoption but they changed their minds and he was returned to them in 2020, security sources said.

The child’s name and his family details were "definitely in their system" and Tusla [Ireland's Child and Family Agency] was aware of who he was when the agency contacted gardaí [Ireland's police] with its concerns last week, the same sources said.

The boy, who lived in Donabate, north Dublin, was only three when he disappeared in 2021, so it appears Tusla knew of him shortly after he was born in 2018.

The source said: "There was an interaction between Tusla and the family. Gardaí know this and are liaising with Tusla on this. The exact nature of the interaction cannot be released for ­obvious reasons but he would have been on their system."

Tusla said last night that "its services had engagement with this child and their family and these services ceased in 2020".

In a statement the child and family agency said: "In response to queries about any engagement our services had with this child and family, whilst the priority at this time is to allow An Garda Síochána to conduct their investigation, we do want to be open and transparent with the public without impacting the investigation.

 "At the request of the family, our services had previous ­engagement with this child and their family, and these services ceased in 2020.

"Since 2020, no new referral or new information of concern was received about this child until August 2025. On foot of this we contacted An Garda Síochána with our concerns for the safety and wellbeing of the child.

"As is normal process, where there is a serious incident or death involving a child open to, or previously known to our ­service, we conduct a review of our engagement and that review is sent to the National Review Panel.

"While this is being completed, the priority must be on allowing An Garda Síochána to complete their investigations, without doing anything to interfere with that and, with that in mind, we will not be providing further detail on our involvement with the child and family at this time."

Police continue the search for a Donabate, Dublin, child, who is presumed dead.

Gardaí have interviewed the boy’s mother and father. The mother came to Ireland as a child and has lived here for most of her life. His father lives abroad.

His parents are originally from Africa and are both naturalized Irish citizens. Despite inaccurate reports on social media, neither came through the asylum system.

Officers have also spoken with relatives of the family about what happened to the child and have received conflicting reports.

Gardaí have been told that the child died in his sleep, while another person told officers that he died a violent death.

An area of land in Donabate has been sealed off close to where the child lived and the search for the child’s remains is expected to last several days.

The location of the dig followed information received by gardaí. A specialized cadaver dog could be seen on the grounds yesterday. Digging equipment, lighting and other excavation tools were also seen entering the land.

New Garda Commissioner ­Justin Kelly updated the media on the case yesterday and said that all resources available to the gardaí are being put into the case.

Mr Kelly said investigators have been unable to identify any ­information on the boy’s current whereabouts or evidence as to whether he is alive.

It is understood that Tusla shared its ­concerns about the boy’s welfare with gardaí on ­Friday. This came about after his mother tried to claim child ­benefit for him.

Officials from the Department of Social Protection then contacted Tusla with their concerns. Tusla could not find any proof that he was alive. It was then the agency contacted gardaí, who started the investigation.

A Garda statement said: ‘The boy is last known to have resided at The Gallery Apartments, ­Donabate, Co. Dublin. It has been a number of years since any confirmed sighting of the boy, who would now be seven.’

Locals last night held a ­candle-lit community vigil in Donabate for the boy. An organiser said the gathering was held following ‘enormous community concern’ over the tragic news.

 Search for boy who is missing presumed dead continues in Donabate
The case came to public attention around the same time as the one-year anniversary of another child who was reported missing and is now also feared dead.

Last week, gardaí renewed their appeal for information relating to Kyran Durnin – one year after the child and his mother, Dayla Durnin, were reported missing.

Ms Durnin was later found safe in the UK but there was no sign of Kyran, with gardaí escalating their investigation to a murder inquiry last October.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.