Kyran Durnin: Boy, 8, who vanished with his mum now feared dead as murder probe launched

Kyran's mother Dayla Durnin, 24, has not communicated with her family since she vanished from County Louth, Ireland with her eight year-old son on August 28 - a murder investigation has now been launched

Police have launched a murder investigation following the disappearance of eight-year-old Kyran Durnin, who is missing and presumed dead.

Officers have said they are seriously concerned about the safety of young Kyran, who went missing alongside his mother, Dayla Durnin, more than six weeks ago. The two vanished from County Louth, Ireland, on August 28, and the 24-year-old mum has not made contact with her family since. Kyran was reported missing on August 30.

While the investigation remains "remains active", Gardai have said they have no idea to where the two have disappeared, with officials urging the young mum to contact them. An Garda Siochana said in a statement today that investigators have no information leading to Kyran's whereabouts, and have declared him missing presumed dead.

The service said: “Despite extensive enquiries carried out by gardai to date, An Garda Siochana have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive. Following enquiries to date, investigating Gardai now believe that Kyran is missing presumed dead. A murder investigation has been commenced.”

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. The probe is being led by a senior investigation officer based out of an incident room established at Drogheda Garda Station. Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, is working closely and fully co-operating with the Garda investigation.

Dayla's mum, Rhonda Byrne Tyson, is now looking after her daughter's two other children, three-year-old Isla, 3, and Laseigh, seven, at her home in Drogheda. She also called for her daughter to "pick up the phone" in an emotional public plea via the Drogheda Life website, she said she last saw Dayla before she went to bed on the night she vanished.

She said: "When I got up early the next morning Dayla and Kyran, who had been sleeping on the couch, had gone from the house. Dayla left a note on the table saying that she needed to get away for a few days. Last Christmas Dayla was diagnosed with type one diabetes and spent most of the summer in hospital and now she has to inject herself five times a day.

“I’m worried sick. I know that she got a supply of medication recently but I’m terrified about what will happen when that runs out.”