Gardai will continue searching for a missing Dublin boy who is presumed dead over the coming days. The child has not been seen for several years and would now be seven years old if still alive.
Concerns for the boy were raised by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and reported to gardai on Friday. He was last known to have resided at The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, County Dublin.
Investigation details
A Garda statement confirmed that investigating officers have been unable to locate the boy or identify any information about his current whereabouts. "Following enquiries carried out by and information available to investigating gardai to date, An Garda Siochana has been unable to either locate the boy, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive," the statement said.
The statement added: "Investigating gardai believe that the boy is missing, presumed dead." On Monday, gardai took control of an area of open ground in Donabate which will be searched in the coming days.
The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer based at an incident room established at Swords Garda Station. Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact Swords Garda Station on 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Official response
Minister for Children Norma Foley said on Monday she is "deeply concerned" over the case. In a statement, she said the welfare of the child was "uppermost" in her thoughts and that she had been briefed by officials and spoken to the Tusla chief executive.
"I am appealing to anyone with information about this missing child to provide full co-operation to An Garda Siochana as it carries out its investigation," Foley said. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
