Tusla Alerts Gardaí About Missing Child Absent from School
Authorities are seeking assistance in locating a 10-year-old boy who has been reported absent from school. This case has prompted a referral to Gardaí by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in Ireland, following their inability to trace the child.
Background of the Case
The urgency surrounding this case hails from a significant incident involving Kyran Durnin’s disappearance. In response, Tusla established a dedicated office focused on cases where children are absent from education. This new office has been operational since July and allows school principals to directly engage with the agency when a child goes missing.
Details of the Missing Child
- Age: 10 years old
- School Attendance: The child did not return to school in September.
- Initial Report: Tusla confirmed the child was in Ireland at that time.
- Referral to Gardaí: In November, after failed attempts to locate the child, a referral was made.
- Current Situation: The child is believed to be residing with his father in another EU country.
Tusla’s Role in Locating Missing Children
Under the new framework, education welfare officers are tasked with locating children who are absent from school. If they encounter challenges, cases are escalated to Gardaí for further investigation. In this instance, the child’s situation was formally reported to International Social Services, yet Tusla has been unable to confirm his current whereabouts.
Ongoing Investigation
Minister for Children, Norma Foley, confirmed that Gardaí is actively investigating the case, exploring leads to ascertain whether the boy has been taken abroad. The mother reported that her son left Ireland with his father and is now living in another EU state. Authorities believe they can locate the child with the assistance of Interpol and local police.
Impact of Previous Cases
Minister Foley has noted that the ongoing investigation into Kyran Durnin’s case remains sensitive, preventing the publication of findings until the murder inquiry concludes. This highlights the critical need for effective child welfare measures and prompt action in cases of missing children.
