Gardaí have renewed their appeal to the public for information in relation to the disappearance and death of Daniel Aruebose, whose skeletal remains were found buried in Donabate in Dublin last year.
In a statement issued today, An Garda Síochána said it is “determined to vindicate Daniel’s human rights and remember him and his short life”.
Daniel was last seen alive at his home in The Gallery Apartments in Donabate around five years ago when he was just three years old.
His death and burial had been concealed until a check on social welfare payments first raised concerns at the Department of Social Protection for his safety and whereabouts.
The department alerted Tusla who contacted gardaí.
This weekend marks one year since Tusla raised its concerns with gardaí, on 29 August 2025.
At that time, it had been a number of years since there had been any confirmed sighting of Daniel, who would now be eight years old.
Following Daniel’s death in 2021, his remains were buried in an unmarked grave in waste ground outside Donabate.
Daniel Aruebose was three years old when he was last seen alive
In September 2025, following searches on open ground in Donabate, Daniel’s remains were discovered and exhumed from the burial site.
A post-mortem examination was carried out at Dublin City Mortuary. Gardaí said the results of the post-mortem have not been released for operational reasons.
Following enquiries conducted at that time and based on information available to gardaí, a homicide investigation was launched into Daniel’s death.
The garda investigation is being led by a senior investigating officer based out of an incident room established at Swords Garda Station.
Gardaí have utilised the external expertise of a forensic anthropologist, a forensic archaeologist and specialist PSNI cadaver dogs.
Daniel Aruebose lived at The Gallery apartments in Donabate in Co Dublin
During the past year, over 800 tasks have been conducted by garda personnel. The investigation team has taken over 400 statements and retained over 100 physical exhibits and nearly 300 documentary exhibits.
Throughout the past 12 months, the investigation has involved collaboration across domestic and international jurisdictions.
As part of these enquiries, the investigation team has engaged with international partners including law enforcement authorities in the US, Brazil, France and the UK, along with the Australian Federal Police, the Portuguese Judicial Police, Interpol and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
Coordination has also been maintained with the PSNI, the DPP and the central channels for Mutual Legal Assistance to gather critical evidence and facilitate international legal requests.
To date, a man and a woman have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to anyone who was resident in The Gallery Apartments complex in Donabate between July 2019 to the present date, to speak with the investigation team if they have not already done so.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Swords Garda Station on 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any member of An Garda Síochána.