Gardaí have this evening announced the DNA analysis on the remains has confirmed that they are those of Daniel, who would have been eight years old tomorrow.
“Following enquiries conducted to date and based on information available to investigating gardaí, An Garda Síochána has commenced a homicide investigation into Daniel’s death,” a statement said.
“Gardaí continue to keep Daniel’s family informed of all developments in this ongoing criminal investigation.
“Gardaí in Swords continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Daniel Aruebose.
“Tomorrow, December 12, would have been Daniel’s 8th birthday. On 17th September Gardaí recovered the human remains of a child on open ground in Donabate. DNA analysis has since confirmed these remains to be those of Daniel.
“An Garda Síochána is again appealing to the public for any information that may assist in the investigation into the homicide of Daniel Aruebose. Members of the public are urged not to assume that gardaí already possess information they may hold, or that any detail is too small or insignificant.
“The investigation team will determine the relevance of any information provided.
“All contact will be welcomed and treated in the strictest confidence.”
Gardaí believe Daniel met his death more than four years ago before his 4th birthday, but the fact that he was no longer alive only became known in September after a standard social welfare check on a children’s allowance claim.
After an extensive search carried out for almost two weeks on wasteland on the edge of Donabate in north county Dublin, which had been pointed out by Daniel’s parents during interviews with gardaí, a small amount of human remains were eventually found.
But initial post-mortem results had been inconclusive in determining how Daniel died.
Today the site where Daniel was buried is a wasteland after extensive digging and winter rains have turned it into a waterlogged marsh.
A framed photograph of Daniel, placed on the bare ground with two weathered teddy bears, is the only reminder on site of the tragedy of his short life.
In the photograph, a happy Daniel has his hands outstretched surrounded by colourful and stimulating toys and wearing a ‘Training to be Batman’ top.
His birth certificate shows he was born in Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital at 1.41am on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. He was named Daniel Michael Aruebose.
His mother Maria Aruebose (28) and father Ciaran Dirrane have assisted gardaí with their investigation into his death, and told them where to search for his body after they admitted he was dead.
Daniel
News in 90 Seconds – 11 December 2025
During initial investigations, Daniel’s mother told gardaí that he had died in his sleep in their apartment at The Gallery, Donabate, and they tried to revive him in a bath, and then they panicked and buried him secretly on the other side of town.
A separate story that she had told gardaí initially was that Daniel had died after an assault and had been buried secretly.
His mother and father separated at some point after Daniel’s death and his father moved to Brazil where he is now in a new relationship.
Daniel’s mother continued to live at the apartment complex and in August she was interviewed by officials when a standard check on children’s allowance payments revealed he did not appear to be registered to a school anywhere.
Maria Aruebose told Tusla, the child and family agency, that her son was living with her relatives in the south of the country. But checks with her family soon established that Daniel was not there.
An Garda Síochána was then alerted and Ms Aruebose was interviewed and the apartment searched on August 29. Gardaí found a photograph of Daniel and a teddy bear, but nothing else to indicate he existed, and under further questioning, Daniel’s mother admitted he was dead.
The painstaking search of the overgrown plot of land on the edge of town closest to Portrane began on September 1 after the area was sealed-off during the previous weekend, and involved specialist services such as the use of cadaver dogs, and a large search team using two mechanical diggers to shift the vast quantities of soil on the site.
Then, just before 9pm on September 17, the discovery of human remains was made.
Daniel had been fostered for the first year of his life at the request of his parents but was then reunited with them after they decided they wanted to care for him.
He spent the next six months with his biological parents and his foster family over different days of the week until he was returned permanently to his parents.
To date there have been no arrests in the case.
Gardaí have asked that anyone with information contacts Swords Garda Station on 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or at any Garda Station.
“An Garda Síochána is aware of the extensive public commentary that has circulated in relation to this investigation. Gardaí are appealing to all members of the public to verify any information they encounter—particularly speculation, rumours, or theories about what may have happened to Daniel.
“Please independently verify any content you read on social media or messaging apps before sharing it,” its statement said.