Gardaí renew appeal over 2009 murder of Paul Byrne in Tallaght, Dublin
Paul 'Frank' Byrne, a 20-year-old man, was last seen at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 15 July 2009, leaving the estate in a 2000-registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other males. His mother reported him missing at Tallaght Garda Station the following day. His remains were found by a forestry worker in a wooded area near Blessington, Co Wicklow, on 29 July 2010 and identified through DNA testing. Five people were arrested in connection with the investigation, but no charges were ever brought and no one has been brought to justice. On 15 July 2026, Gardaí at Blessington Garda Station renewed their appeal for public information, 17 years after he was last seen.
- Reported15 Jul
4 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul 'Frank' Byrne, a 20-year-old man, was last seen at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 15 July 2009, leaving the estate in a 2000-registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other males.
- Where
- His remains were found in a wooded area near Blessington, Co Wicklow, on 29 July 2010.
- When
- He was last seen on 15 July 2009 and his remains were discovered on 29 July 2010.
- Cause
- The offence is recorded as murder.
- Investigation
- His mother reported him missing at Tallaght Garda Station the day after he was last seen.
- His remains were identified through DNA testing.
- Five people were arrested in connection with the investigation, but no charges were ever brought.
- In court
- No one has been brought to justice for the murder.
- Other details
- On 15 July 2026, Gardaí at Blessington Garda Station renewed their appeal for public information, noting the Byrne family are anxious for closure and that the passage of time may make previously silent individuals willing to speak.
30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe skeletal remains of a 20-year-old man were found in 2010 (dublinlive.ie)
- whatHe left the estate in a 2000-registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other males (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was spotted leaving the estate in a 2000-registered wine coloured Mitsubishi Carisma (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was leaving with other men (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHis mother reported him missing the following day (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPaul Byrne left the estate in a 2000-registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other males (garda.ie)
- whereHe was spotted at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght (dublinlive.ie)
- whereHis remains were found in a wooded area near Blessington, Co Wicklow, on 29 July 2010 (dublinlive.ie)
- whereHis remains were found by a forestry worker near Blessington in Wicklow on 29 July 2010 (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePaul Byrne's remains were found in a wooded area near Blessington, Co Wicklow (garda.ie)
- wherePaul Byrne was last seen at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24 (garda.ie)
- whereHis remains were discovered in a wooded area by a forestry worker near Blessington, Co Wicklow, on 29 July 2010. (irishtimes.com)
- whenPaul 'Frank' Byrne was last seen on 15 July 2009 (dublinlive.ie)
- whenIt is now 17 years since Paul Byrne was last seen (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenPaul Byrne's remains were discovered on 29 July 2010 (garda.ie)
- whenIt has been 17 years since Paul Byrne was last seen (garda.ie)
- investigationFive people were arrested over the course of the Garda investigation (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationNo one has been brought to justice for the murder (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationHe was reported missing by his mother the next day (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe remains were found by a forestry worker (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí at Blessington Garda Station are renewing their appeal to the public (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationFive people have been arrested in connection with the investigation (irishmirror.ie, garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí at Blessington Garda Station are renewing their appeal to the public for assistance and information (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationPaul Byrne was reported missing by his mother at Tallaght Garda Station the day after he was last seen (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí at Blessington Garda Station are renewing their appeal for public assistance (garda.ie)
- investigationHis mother reported him missing at Tallaght Garda station the next day. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe remains were identified through DNA testing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFive people have been arrested in connection with the investigation but no charges were ever brought. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAnyone with information has been asked to contact Blessington Garda station or the Garda confidential line. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe passage of time may mean that relationships have changed and that individuals who have withheld information may now be willing to speak. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Jul2026Gardaí renew appeal over murder of Dublin man (20) who went missing 17 years ago
Gardaí have issued a renewed public appeal for information on the 2009 murder, noting the Byrne family are anxious for closure and that the passage of time may make previously silent individuals willing to speak.
victim, 20, male, irish (judged from name)suspectsuspectsuspectsuspectsuspect - 15 Jul202615/07/2026 Renewed Appeal - Murder of Paul Byrne - 15th July 2009
Renewed appeal issued 17 years after Paul Byrne was last seen, with Gardaí urging people to come forward as relationships and associations may have changed over time.
victim, 20, male, irish (judged from name)suspectsuspectsuspectsuspectsuspect - 15 Jul2026Gardai renew information appeal into murder of Paul 'Frank' Byrne
Provides additional detail on the last sighting (Kilmartin Green, wine coloured 2000-registered Mitsubishi Carisma, leaving with other men), the exact date of remains discovery (29 July 2010), and notes it is now 17 years since he was last seen.
victim, Paul 'Frank' Byrne, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Paul 'Frank' Byrnesuspectsuspectsuspectsuspectsuspect - 15 Jul2026Gardaí issue renewed appeal over murder of man found in forest 16 years ago
Provides the specific last-sighting location (Kilmartin Green, Tallaght), the vehicle (2000-registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma), the exact date of discovery (29 July 2010), and that the remains were found by a forestry worker. Notes it is now 17 years since he was last seen and that the family are anxious for closure.
victim, Paul 'Frank' Byrne, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Paul 'Frank' Byrnesuspect