Updated at 8:10am
Gardaí are expected to carry out searches of at least four properties in Co Louth as part of their investigation into the suspected murder of missing eight-year-old Kyran Durnin.
On Tuesday, gardaí took possession of a former family home of the child, at Emer Terrace in Dundalk, via court order.
An extensive search of the property and back garden, involving a forensic team, got under way in the early hours, with gardaí stationed at the door of the house all day.
The Irish Examiner understands that at least three other properties will be searched as part of efforts to locate Kyran’s remains.
It comes as Tusla said it previously alerted gardaí to a significant concern about Kyran Durnin, who is now missing and presumed dead.
On Tuesday, gardaí began a search operation at a house in Dundalk, Co Louth, that is known to have been the family home of the eight-year-old, who gardaí believe may have been killed up to two years ago.
The Child and Family Agency said it has now opened an internal review into its interactions with Kyran and his family.
Meanwhile, gardaí have confirmed that Kyran attended school in Dundalk and Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern has appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.
The house on Emer Terrace was the 8-year-old's family home up to earlier this year, gardaí have said.
Speaking outside Dundalk Garda Station, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said they took possession of the property on Monday and began their search on Tuesday morning.
“The purpose of these searches are to discover any evidence which might provide us with information as to Kyran’s current whereabouts or what has happened to Kyran,” Chief Supt McGovern said.
“The house is known to have been Kyran’s family home for a period of years up to May 2024. I must emphasise that the current tenants of this house are not connected in anyway with Kyran or his disappearance.
“An Garda Síochána can confirm that Kyran was a student in a local national school, here in Dundalk, up to approximately the end of the 2021/2022 primary school year.
