Unpublished Kyran Durnin Case Review Sparks Concern Over Another Missing Child
The case of missing Co Louth schoolboy Kyran Durnin continues to evoke concern, especially following a review by the National Review Panel. This panel, which is responsible for investigating serious incidents involving children known to the protection system, delivered its findings to Minister for Children, Norma Foley, on October 29, 2023. Unfortunately, the report’s full publication has been prevented based on advice from the Attorney General.
Kyran Durnin: Background and Timeline
Kyran was reported missing in August 2024. However, Gardaí believe that he was killed in June 2022, at the age of six, and that efforts were made to dispose of his remains. The ongoing investigation highlights the serious implications of children who go missing from the education system.
Legal Opinions and Review Outcomes
Minister Norma Foley expressed her desire to publish the full report but stated that the Attorney General, Rossa Fanning, advised against it. This recommendation aims to avoid jeopardizing any future legal proceedings. However, the report’s recommendations have been made public and show a commitment to addressing various issues.
Key Recommendations from the Review
- Establishment of a policy for tracking pupil movements across primary schools.
- A review of the implications of GDPR on child assessments conducted by Tusla.
- Creation of a new office dedicated to tracking children absent from education.
- Implementation of safeguarding guidance for social workers.
Additionally, the report suggests improvements in how waiting lists for social work assignments are managed and the establishment of quality assurance frameworks for family support services.
Recent Developments
In light of the recommendations, Tusla has created a new office aimed at monitoring school absences. Reports indicate that this office received notifications of a missing 10-year-old boy, initially believed to have been living in Ireland. Investigations revealed the boy had left the country and is now living elsewhere in Europe. Gardaí are currently working with Interpol regarding this matter.
Implications for Child Safeguarding
Tusla’s chief executive, Kate Duggan, emphasized the importance of transparency and reform to better protect children. The review also highlighted that school principals need clearer guidelines on actions to take when a child fails to return to school without prior notifications.
The last confirmed sighting of Kyran Durnin was in May 2022, when he was reported ill with Covid-19. Tragically, he did not complete the school year at St Nicholas’ Monastery National School in Dundalk.
The ongoing concern for missing children, like Kyran Durnin, stresses the need for continuous improvement in communication and action among agencies tasked with child welfare. As authorities assess the findings and recommendations, the hope remains that no child will go missing without proper follow-up and support.
