Conflicting stories given by two key witnesses about the fate of tragic Kyran Durnin are frustrating the Garda investigation into the boy’s death, Extra.ie has learned.
Gardaí believe the little boy – who would have recently turned nine if still alive today – was killed more than two years before he was reported missing.
One account provided by a key witness is that Kyran was ‘slapped too hard’, causing him to fall over and fatally bang his head. But this account is disputed by another key witness, who claims the boy was still alive shortly before he was reported missing in August 2024.
Details of the contrasting accounts emerged as gardaí compile a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
A well-placed source said investigators want to have a ‘complete file’ before sending it to the DPP.
Organisers of a vigil for Kyran held in Dundalk yesterday evening demanded ‘justice’ for the little boy. Vigil organisers asked those who attended to bring candles, teddy bears and pictures to ‘keep up hope’ Kyran will be found.
Kyran was formally reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co. Louth, a year ago.
An Garda Síochána
But the Garda investigation quickly established he was last known to be alive in June 2022, when he was aged just six.
Despite almost 600 lines of enquiry, gardaí are still no closer to locating the little boy.
Extra has learned that internet searches made by the prime suspect just four weeks after gardaí suspected Kyran died raised eyebrows with detectives.
A source said: ‘Gardaí know poor Kyran is dead and they also know he was killed. But conflicting accounts by two key witnesses are hampering their efforts to find him and ultimately get justice.
‘The chief suspect is heartless. Within four weeks [of Kyran dying] they appeared to be getting on with life. Whether there is enough for the DPP [to bring charges] is the question.’
An Garda Síochána
Gardaí believe a man who took his own life after being questioned last December about Kyran’s murder was ‘used’ by the chief suspect in an attempt to conceal the little boy’s death.
It is understood Anthony Maguire, 36, was tricked by the suspect into helping them cover their tracks following Kyran’s death. Mr Maguire was associated with a ‘decoy’ child presented as Kyran in meetings with child and family agency Tusla.
He took his own life days after his arrest, and left a note, but it revealed nothing about Kyran’s disappearance.
Gardaí are continuing to comb through almost 30,000 hours of CCTV footage, primarily focusing on the Dundalk and Drogheda areas. Kyran’s mother, Dayla Durnin, remains living in Ipswich, England, where she has been for more than a year.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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