Exclusive – Relatives of Daniel Aruebose’s mother have reached out to support her after the discovery that the three-year-old’s death was kept secret and his remains were secretly buried.
05:00, 25 Sep 2025Updated 18:47, 25 Sep 2025
Daniel Aruebose(Image: collinsphotos.com)
Relatives of Daniel Aruebose’s mother have now reached out to her in the wake of the shocking discovery that the three-year-old child’s death was never reported to authorities.
The family’s move comes amid mounting outrage after it emerged that Daniel’s remains were secretly buried in marshy wasteland around 4km from The Gallery Apartment in Donabate where he lived with his parents.
Partial skeletal remains – believed to be Daniel’s – were discovered on the land following a near three-week search by gardai last Wednesday.
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The discovery brought a tragic end for the missing three-year-old, who had not been seen in four years, and prompted a major garda investigation.
A post-mortem on the partial skeletal remains last Friday uncovered an ‘inconclusive’ cause of death. Further tests are now needed to try and determine a cause.
A number of scans and tests including DNA and toxicology have still to be completed.
The community was heartbroken (Image: Collins )
Gardai believe the remains are those of little Daniel, however, they are still awaiting DNA confirmation of the child’s identity.
Both Daniel’s parents Maria Aruebose and Ciaran Dirrane continue to be spoken to informally by investigators.
Sources say they continue to maintain that the child passed away in his sleep from natural causes, that they discovered him dead in his bed and panicked and secretly buried him by digging a shallow grave by hand in the marshy lands along the Portrane Road.
In the wake of the discovery of the skeletal remains, we can reveal that family members of Daniel’s mum Maria have now ‘reached out to her’ to ‘offer some support’.
“Some of her family have now been in touch with her, offering her some support knowing a ‘huge mistake’ was made,” sources told Irish Mirror.
Floral tributes and a photograph of Daniel Aruebose(Image: collinsphotos.com)
“That huge mistake was not informing authorities of the child’s death and then secretly burying his remains,” sources continued.
“She has been on her own dealing with all of this and Daniel’s dad is overseas.”
Earlier we revealed that Daniel’s mother Maria Aruebose did not initially tell gardai that Daniel had been secretly buried, though sources say she was “visibly relieved” upon the discovery of skeletal remains.
Instead, the little boy’s mum told gardai that he was dead – but that she didn’t know where his body was – and “to ask” her then partner, the child’s dad.
However, in a turn of events, Daniel’s mum later admitted to gardai that they both buried him in the marshy land along the Portrane Road in Donabate – about 4km from the apartment they lived in at The Gallery in the seaside town in north County Dublin.
Daniel’s parents have been cooperating with investigators since it was discovered Daniel at the end of August that Daniel had been missing for nearly four years.
That came about after a ‘spot check’ by officers from the Department of Social Protection who then alerted Tusla.
Local councillor Corina Johnson has called for a public inquiry and possible memorial on the land where the skeletal remains, believed to be Daniel’s, were discovered, expressing concern over State involvement.
Councillor Corina Johnston pictured at the vigil for little Daniel Aruebose on Sunday evening.
“I think the State has questions to answer,” she said. “This can’t happen again. This is an absolutely horrific tragedy. And we cannot see this happen to another child again.”
Daniel’s mother’s solicitor Martin O’Donnell was contacted but has no comment to make.
In an updated statement to Irish Mirror An Garda Siochana said: “Gardai in Swords are continuing to investigate all of the circumstances of the disappearance of Daniel Aruebose.
“The remains of Daniel Aruebose were removed to Dublin City Mortuary on Thursday evening, September 18 2025.
“A post-mortem examination was completed on Friday, September 19, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.
“Formal identification of the remains will now have to be carried out including DNA analysis.
“Gardai are appealing to anyone who has any information in relation to the death of Daniel to contact the investigation team at Swords Garda Station on 01-6664700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any member of An Garda Siochana.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
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