Tusla has 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.
“Kyran was reported missing, along with his mother, to An Garda Síochána on the August 30th, 2024, and as having been last seen on or about the August 28th, 2024. An Garda Síochána has identified the whereabouts of Kyran’s mother.
“Despite extensive inquiries carried out by gardaí to date, we have been unable to either locate Kyran, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive.
“Following inquiries to date investigating gardaí now believe that Kyran is missing, presumed dead.”
Chief Supt McGovern said gardaí in Co Louth want to find out where Kyran is and what happened to him.
“An Garda Síochána is liaising closely with other State agencies, including Tusla, who are co-operating and assisting fully with this murder investigation,” he added.
“I want to thank members of the public who have contacted the Garda investigation team to date. Our sole focus and primary concern, and that of the investigation team is Kyran.
“We want to discover where Kyran is. We want to discover what has happened to Kyran. I continue to appeal to anyone who has any information in connection with the disappearance of Kyran to contact investigating gardai.
“Do not rule out any information that you may have. Please do not assume that the investigation team know the information that you may have.
“Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
“You can contact the Garda Investigation Team at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána.”
