Case No. 2203Missing person (suspected murder) · Co. Louth
Gardaí conclude three-day search of Drogheda house in Kyran Durnin murder inquiry
Gardaí concluded a three-day search of a house in Drogheda, Co Louth, in the investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder of six-year-old Kyran Durnin, who was last seen in June 2022. No evidence of 'immediate significance' was found, though items were taken for analysis, and the search was the third intrusive operation since the investigation began in September 2024.
- Reported26 Feb
6 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports75 statements extracted from the articles
- whatExtensive work was carried out on the site over the first 48 hours (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí cleared greenery in the back garden of the property (irishtimes.com)
- whatMembers of the search team used chainsaws to help clear the location (irishtimes.com)
- whatA mini digger was brought in to assist with the excavation (irishtimes.com)
- whatA drone was used to capture aerial images to aid gardaí plan the excavation (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe property being searched is on Hand Street, Drogheda (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe property is a two-storey semi-detached house and its back garden on Hand Street, Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe Garda team is focused on a house in Drogheda that the boy often visited (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe searched property is a two-storey semi-detached house on Hand Street in Drogheda. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe property is the last place where Gardaí were informed Kyran was seen in August 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí and the Technical Bureau team arrived at the property at 8.30am on Wednesday morning (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe last known sighting of Kyran was in July 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe search in Drogheda began on Wednesday morning and is continuing on Thursday (irishtimes.com)
- whenKyran was last seen in 2022 when he was six years of age (irishtimes.com)
- whenA family member made a missing persons report in August last year (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe last independent confirmed sighting of Kyran was in June 2022 when he was attending national school in Dundalk (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe search for Kyran Durnin's remains resumed on 27 February 2025 at a property in Drogheda. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe search was due to enter its third day on Friday (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe operation at the property has been under way since Tuesday morning (irishtimes.com)
- whenA family member made a missing persons report in August last year, the day after Tusla flagged its concerns for the welfare of the boy. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí commenced a search of a domestic residence in Drogheda on 26 February 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe house was to be subject of technical and forensic examinations (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA murder investigation was launched in October after Kyran's disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí carried out a dig at Kyran's former family home in Dundalk in October (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search was expected to continue into Thursday morning (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search was concentrating on the back garden with officers deconstructing a shed (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are looking for evidence relating to how the boy died and where his remains may be (irishtimes.com)
- investigationExcavating equipment is being used at the rear of the property (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe search is the third of its kind since the murder investigation began last October (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAnother house in Drogheda and one in Dundalk were searched late last year with nothing of evidential value discovered (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe people connected to the address have been spoken to by gardaí but have not been arrested (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána have been unable to locate Kyran (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe Kyran died in the weeks or months after the last confirmed sighting and his body was concealed to cover up his death (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo people, a man and a woman, have previously been arrested on suspicion of the schoolboy's murder and both were released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOn Wednesday morning, gardai from the Technical Bureau arrived at the property to commence forensic and technical examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA digger was brought into the back garden where it continued to dig until daylight faded. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSeveral brown evidence bags were removed from the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe murder investigation was launched by investigators at Drogheda Garda Station in October 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationLast December a forensic search of a house and garden in Beechwood Drive in Drogheda took place. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe first search took place in November at a house and garden as well as wasteland near the house on Emer Street in Dundalk. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNothing of evidential value was discovered during the first three searches. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána have been unable to locate Kyran despite extensive and ongoing enquiries. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationProperties in Dundalk and Drogheda were sealed off and searched last year but nothing of evidential value was found (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTusla flagged concerns for the welfare of the boy after being unable to see him despite several efforts (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo suspects were arrested last December and several searches were carried out at properties in Co Louth (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe he died in the weeks or months after the last confirmed sighting and that his body was concealed to cover up his death (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí concluded a three-day search of a property in Drogheda and found nothing of evidential value. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA mini digger was used after a shed in the back garden was dismantled. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationChainsaws and a drone were also used during the search. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search came after three prior searches at other locations. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers previously searched a property in November and December of the previous year. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe December search saw officers access the home of suspect Anthony Maguire, 36, who was arrested and took his own life days later. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA search of a house in Co Louth for evidence in the investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder of Kyran Durnin concluded after three days. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí cleared greenery in the back garden of the property as part of their search. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMembers of the search team used chainsaws to clear the location before a mini digger was brought in. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA drone was used to capture aerial images to aid gardaí in planning the excavation of the back garden. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were looking for any evidence relating to how the boy died and where his remains might be. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationProperties in Dundalk and Drogheda were also sealed off and searched in the same manner for several days last year, but nothing of evidential value was found. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKyran was potentially missing for two years before authorities were alerted (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKyran was reported missing in August (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIt is suspected Kyran might have died in 2022 when he was six (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKyran would now be 8 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere was public concern over photos of garden renovations posted to social media in June 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKyran would be aged 8 years if he were alive (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe property is owned by people known to Kyran, who spent time there including staying for periods (irishtimes.com)
- otherAnthony Maguire, 36, was found dead at his home in Drogheda the day after he was released without charge (irishtimes.com)
- otherThis is the fourth search in the murder investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe property is the home of a woman known to the missing six-year-old boy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere was public concern over photos of renovation works to the back garden posted to social media in June 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí stated the last known sightings of Kyran was after the renovation works took place. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDetectives are working on the assumption that Kyran may have died up to two and a half years ago. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Beechwood Drive property was the home of suspect Anthony Maguire, 36, who was arrested in December and released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnthony Maguire took his own life just days after being released. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMaguire left a note at the scene that made no reference to the missing boy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnthony Maguire, 36, one of two people arrested in December, was found dead at his home in Drogheda the day after he was released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Feb2025Kyran Durnin murder inquiry: Gardaí conclude search of Drogheda house
Reports the conclusion of the third intrusive search at a Drogheda property, the use of chainsaws, a mini digger and a drone in the back garden, and that no evidence of 'immediate significance' was found. Also notes that Anthony Maguire, one of two suspects arrested in December, was found dead at his home the day after being released without charge.
victim, Kyran Durnin, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Kyran Durninsuspect, Anthony Maguire, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Maguire - 28 Feb2025Kyran Durnin investigation: Gardai finish three day search of property
Reports the conclusion of a three-day search of the last known location of Kyran Durnin with no evidential value found; details the use of a mini digger, chainsaws and drone; mentions prior searches including at the home of suspect Anthony Maguire (36) who was arrested and took his own life; Gardaí working on assumption Kyran died and his death was covered up.
victim, Kyran Durnin, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Kyran Durninsuspect, Anthony Maguire, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Maguire - 28 Feb2025Kyran Durnin murder: Gardaí continue extensive search of Drogheda house for evidence
Provides detail on search methods (chainsaws, mini digger, drone), confirms this is the third intrusive search, notes the property had been earmarked for some time, and reports that Anthony Maguire was found dead at his home the day after being released without charge.
victim, Kyran Durnin, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Kyran Durninsuspect, Anthony Maguire, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Maguire - 27 Feb2025Search resumes for missing Kyran Durnin's remains as investigation continues
Reports the resumption of the fourth search at a Hand Street property in Drogheda, details the use of a digger and removal of evidence bags, and provides background on previous searches including the Beechwood Drive property of Anthony Maguire who took his own life after being released without charge.
victim, Kyran Durnin, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Kyran Durninsuspect, Anthony Maguire, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Maguire - 27 Feb2025Kyran Durnin murder inquiry: Gardaí set to excavate garden in Drogheda house search
Reports on the third intrusive search at a Drogheda property, including plans to excavate the garden, and provides additional context on the investigation timeline, the status of the two suspects arrested in December, and the Gardaí's statement on public commentary.
victim, Kyran Durnin, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Kyran Durninsuspect, Anthony Maguire, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Maguire - 26 Feb2025Kyran Durnin murder probe updates as gardai carry out search at Drogheda house
Provides details of the commencement of the Drogheda search on 26 February 2025, including the full Garda statement, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan's comments, local reactions, and the fact that the search concentrated on the back garden with officers deconstructing a shed. Notes the search was expected to continue into Thursday morning.
victim, Kyran Durnin, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Kyran Durnin