Ireland

Vigil held in Dundalk for missing schoolboy Kyran Durnin

Event was the second such community gathering organised in the Co Louth town for the schoolboy missing and presumed dead

A pumpkin and candles among other tributes places during a vigil for Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk, on Monday evening. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
A pumpkin and candles among other tributes places during a vigil for Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk, on Monday evening. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Mon Oct 28 2024 - 21:00

A vigil has been held in Dundalk for missing schoolboy Kyran Durnin.

The event in Market Square on Monday night was the second such community gathering organised for the eight-year-old, who is presumed dead.

Dozens of local people congregated for the vigil in the Co Louth town, with some placing lit candles beneath a large advertising screen that displayed a picture collage of Kyran along with the message “Where is wee Kyran Durnin?”

People take part in a vigil for Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk, on Monday evening. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
People take part in a vigil for Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk, on Monday evening. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation into his disappearance.

READ SOME MORE

Last week, investigators searched a former family home in Dundalk and adjoining lands.

The Garda said the results of the searches are not being released for “operational purposes”.

Earlier this month, officers opened a murder investigation months after Kyran was reported missing with his mother.

His mother has been located but investigators say the whereabouts of Kyran remain unknown and he is presumed dead.

It subsequently emerged that Kyran had potentially been missing for two years before authorities became aware of his disappearance.

[ Kyran Durnin case: Fresh searches expected after no trace of boy found in Dundalk property ]

Monday’s vigil was organised by Brittany McEnteggart, who lives in the town.

“These little vigils of hope will hopefully continue until we find him and bring him home – that’s the ultimate goal here,” she said.

Jay Martin (8) places a candle among other tributes at a vigil for Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk, on Monday evening. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Jay Martin (8) places a candle among other tributes at a vigil for Kyran Durnin in Market Square, Dundalk, on Monday evening. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

“I would like to have them continuously until Kyran’s case is solved.

“It just brings people together and brings out what we need to do and it keeps his case at the forefront of the news, which is super important.”

Last week, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, Tusla, said it had raised a “significant concern” around the missing child to gardaí in August.

A report by Tusla into the case is due to be completed this week.