Kyran, who would be nine years old this year if still alive, was reported missing in August last year
We snapped Dayla Durnin back in her native Drogheda this morning where she is staying with her mother Rhonda Byrne.
The pair exited Rhonda’s home in the town shortly after 9 am but returned to the house at around 3 pm today.
Dayla’s return to the town, following a self-imposed exile in Ipswich comes just over a month after gardai issued a fresh appeal in the case.
Dayla Durnin, leaving a house in Drogheda with her mother.
Kyran, who would be nine years old this year if still alive, was reported missing in August last year by grandmother Rhonda and a murder investigation was launched in October.
When Kyran was initially reported missing by Rhonda, she said she had woken up to find that “Dayla and Kyran, who had been sleeping on the couch, had gone from the house.
Dayla Durnin, mother of missing boy Kyran Durnin, back in Drogheda.
News in 90 Seconds, Wednesday, October 8
“Dayla left a note on the table saying she needed to get away for a few days.”
But gardaí believe Kyran might have died aged six after it emerged, he had not been seen since May 2022 when he was a pupil at a primary school in Dundalk.
Gardaí have to date arrested two people and searched three houses and gardens linked to Kyran.
Dayla Durnin, mother of missing boy Kyran Durnin, back in Drogheda.
The first arrest in the investigation came last December.
A woman, aged in her twenties, had been abroad for a period of time but was arrested within this jurisdiction on suspicion of murder.
It is understood that this woman had been a person of interest in the case for some time, and that gardaí had also spoken to her on a number of previous occasions.
Later the same week, a man was arrested as gardaí also carried out an “intrusive” search at a property and its adjoining gardens in a housing estate in Drogheda.
Both the woman and the man were subsequently released without charge.
However, the investigation took yet another sinister turn as gardaí confirmed that this man had been found dead at his home in Drogheda just days after his release.
He was named locally as 36-year-old Anthony Maguire, and gardaí said they were treating the matter as a “personal tragedy,” and not looking for anyone else in connection with his death.
It is understood that he left a note, but it is not believed to have made any reference to Kyran.
A further search took place in February of this year and focused on the back garden of a different property – this time one located on a narrow residential street in Drogheda.
During this three-day search operation, Kyran’s father, who is not a suspect in the investigation, arrived outside the property and, understandably, became visibly upset.
The results of all three searches – the one in Dundalk and two in Drogheda – were not released for operational purposes.
However, it is understood that nothing of major significance was discovered by gardaí.
A garda spokesperson said last month that “despite extensive and ongoing enquiries” they have been unable to locate Kyran or determine what has happened to him.
The spokesperson said: “To date, there have been in excess of 570 separate investigative actions taken.
“Two persons (a woman and a man) have to date been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“Three domestic residences and adjoining lands have also been searched which included excavation works as well as a full forensic examination of each scene.
“A number of electronic devices have been seized and analysed.”
The spokesperson said in excess of 29,500 hours of CCTV have been seized and secured from numerous locations and the force is continuing to liaise with Tusla.
The statement added: “The investigation team, led by a Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) based in an incident room established at Drogheda Garda Station continue to appeal to the public for any information in connection the disappearance of Kyran.
“An Garda Siochana is aware of the extensive public commentary on this investigation including speculation, rumours and theories on what may have happened to Kyran.
“An Garda Siochana continue to appeal to the public, notwithstanding all the information that is in the public domain, to not assume that the investigation team know the information that you may have.
“Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team.
“This information will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
The garda investigation team can be contacted at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or through any Garda Station.