Investigation at north Dublin location intensifies as search continues for lost child

In the quiet town of Donabate, north Dublin, a search operation has been ongoing for the past week, led by the Gardaí. The focus of the search is a site just outside the town, bordered by the Portrane Road and a bypass built in recent years.

The search began after a woman claimed that the remains of a missing boy were buried at this location. However, as of yet, no remains have been found, and the Gardaí are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy's disappearance.

The boy, who would be aged seven if found, is believed to have died at the age of three. The Gardaí suspect that his death was concealed, but they have not determined whether he died of natural causes or if foul play was a factor.

The boy's parents are Irish citizens, with his mother still living in Ireland and his father having moved abroad. The parents split up at least five years ago, but both continued to play an active role in the child's life until he is believed to have died.

Initially, the boy was given up for adoption and was in the care of foster families for up to 18 months, but he was later returned to his parents. The case was closed by Tusla, the child and family agency, with Tusla chief executive Kate Duggan stating that there "were not child protection concerns in relation to this family."

The alarm was raised when a social welfare claim was made related to the child, which led to checks with no clear answers about the boy's welfare and where he was living. Tusla carried out its own checks and alerted the Gardaí last Friday week, initiating an investigation.

A rapid review of the case is underway, which will take about two weeks and refer findings to the National Review Panel (NRP). About two dozen Gardaí were on the lands from early Sunday morning, and a pedestrian route between the two roads was sealed off by the Gardaí early last week.

A woman has been providing information to investigating Gardaí and returned to the location at the weekend in an attempt to clarify the claimed burial location. The search team, including a cadaver dog, searched the site last Monday, but the remains were not found.

A digger has been moved to the site for the ongoing search. The Gardaí have been given conflicting accounts of the boy's death, including that he died in his sleep and was buried secretly after the people caring for him panicked when they could not revive him.

The Gardaí are still working diligently to find answers and bring closure to this case. As the search continues, the community in Donabate remains hopeful that the missing boy will be found.

Investigation at north Dublin location intensifies as search continues for lost child