Suspect in Kyran Durnin murder investigation found dead

A man arrested in connection with the murder of Drogheda boy Kyran Durnin has been found dead in a home in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The suspect was arrested by gardai as part of the murder probe on Thursday but was released without charge on Friday evening.

However, the man, who is in his 30s, was found dead in a residence in Drogheda earlier today.

A garda spokesman said an autopsy will now be carried out to determine the cause of death.

"Earlier today, Tuesday, 17th December 2024, Gardai and emergency services were alerted following the discovery of a body of a male aged in his 30s in a domestic residence in Drogheda, County Louth.

"The local Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The outcome of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation. No additional information is available at this time."

It is understood that from early indications, gardaí are treating the man's death as a personal tragedy.

Last week, gardaí searched two houses in Drogheda as part of their investigation into the disappearance and murder of Kyran, who would now be eight years old.

On Friday evening, investigating gardaí finished searching a property and its adjoining gardens at a housing estate in Drogheda.

Gardaí said the results of this search operation are not being released for operational reasons.

Kyran, who was six when he was last seen alive in May 2022, was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co Louth at the end of August.

Two months later, in October, gardai launched a murder investigation saying they were treating Kyran as missing, presumed dead as detectives believed the boy may have been killed more than two years ago.

This came after a social worker raised the alarm after realising a young boy brought to a meeting with child protection officials was not Kyran.

Last Tuesday, December 10, the first arrest in the investigation came when a female in her 20s was detained on suspicion of murder at a garda station in the northeast of the country. The woman, who is known to Kyran, was arrested as she returned from the UK.