Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1320Murder · Co. Dublin · 15 Jul 2009

Gardaí renew appeal for information on 2009 murder of Paul 'Frank' Byrne in Tallaght

Paul 'Frank' Byrne, a 20-year-old father of two, was last seen at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 15 July 2009, when he left the estate in a wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other men. His skeletal remains were discovered by a forestry worker at Ballyfolan, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, on 29 July 2010 and identified through DNA profiling. Five people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, but no one has been charged. On 14 July 2025, gardaí at Blessington renewed their public appeal for information, noting that sixteen years have passed since Byrne was last seen.

  1. Reported14 Jul
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Paul 'Frank' Byrne, a 20-year-old father of two, was last seen at Kilmartin Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 15 July 2009, leaving the estate in a 2000-registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other men.
Where
His skeletal remains were discovered by a forestry worker felling trees at Ballyfolan, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, on 29 July 2010.
When
His mother reported him missing at Tallaght Garda Station on 16 July 2009.
Investigation
  • His remains were identified through DNA profiling.
  • Five people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, but no one has been charged.
  • The investigation was taken over by gardaí at Baltinglass Garda Station.
  • On 14 July 2025, gardaí at Blessington renewed their public appeal for information, urging people to come forward as relationships may have changed over sixteen years.
Other details
The Byrne family is anxious for the investigation to make progress.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPaul 'Frank' Byrne was a 20-year-old man (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe left the estate in a 2000 registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was accompanied by other males when last seen (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe left the estate in a 2000 registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other men. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSkeletal remains belonging to Byrne were discovered by a forestry worker felling trees in a remote area at Ballyfolan in Blessington, Co. Wicklow, on 29 July 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe was last seen at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24 (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHis skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area near Blessington, Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com)
  • whereByrne was last seen at his home at Kilmartin Green, Tallaght, on 15 July 2009. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe remains were found on 29 July 2010 (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHis mother reported him missing at Tallaght Garda station the following day (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHe was identified through DNA testing (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFive people have been arrested in connection with the investigation (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNobody has been charged in relation to the case (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí at Blessington renewed the appeal on Monday (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHe was reported missing by his mother at Tallaght Garda Station the following day. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHis remains were identified by way of DNA profiling. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation was taken over by gardaí in Baltinglass Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Byrne family is anxious for the investigation to make progress (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIt is now sixteen years since Paul Byrne was last seen. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jul2025
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardai launch fresh appeal over 2009 murder of Dublin dad-of-two

    Fresh appeal issued 16 years after Byrne was last seen; five arrests made to date but no one charged or convicted.

    victim, Paul 'Frank' Byrne, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Paul 'Frank' Byrne
  2. 14 Jul2025
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gardaí renew appeal for information over murder of Dublin man last seen in 2009

    Renewed public appeal for information; five arrests made to date but no charges; Byrne family anxious for progress; gardaí urging people to come forward as relationships may have changed over 16 years.

    victim, 20, male, irish (judged from name)