Phone records have revealed details of online activity connected to the mother of tragic toddler Daniel Aruebose(Image: collinsphotos.com)

Phone records have revealed details of online activity connected to the mother of tragic toddler Daniel Aruebose – whose partial skeletal remains are believed to have been discovered in Donabate last week.

Daniel, who was three years of age, was last seen four years ago. A major search of marshy wasteland along the Portane Road in Donabate took place over 16 days.

The discovery of a child’s skeletal remains brought a tragic end to the intensive search for the missing three-year-old, who was secretly buried after he died.

Gardai are now awaiting DNA results to confirm the remains are those of little Daniel. A post mortem has taken place but has proved inconclusive. Further tests are now needed to try and determine a cause of death.

Detectives were told that Daniel had died of natural causes and had been secretly buried in the wasteland around 4km from The Gallery Apartments in the seaside town where Daniel lived with his parents.

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Daniel’s parents Ciaran Dirrane and Maria Aruebose have been co-operating with the garda investigation and continue to be spoken to informally by investigators.

According to sources, Google history on a phone belonging to Daniel’s mother included searches for penalties for ‘secretly burying a child,’ and ‘missing child.’ However, sources have emphasised that there were no searches relating to ‘murder.’

The findings are understood to have been reviewed as part of the wider circumstances surrounding Daniel’s disappearance. “While the searches provide a glimpse into what may have been on the mind of Daniel’s mam at the time, they do not in themselves establish wrongdoing,” sources said.

So far no arrests have been made but gardai have identified a number of people of interest they wish to formally interview. 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 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.

(Image: collinsphotos.com)

Daniel’s mam, accompanied by her solicitor Martin O’Donnell and investigators, travelled to the search site twice to help identify the spot she told investigators she had buried Daniel over four years ago.

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.

Police believe the remains are those of little Daniel Aruebose. (Image: Collins Agency)

“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.”

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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