Kyran Durnin probe cops told youngster, 8, is dead by relative amid fresh property search plans as new details emerge

GARDAI probing the murder of Kyran Durnin have received a wave of new information — with at least one person from his family telling cops the child is dead.

The Irish Sun understands Gardai may begin searches at two or three properties in the Drogheda area in the hope of finding the eight-year-old’s body.

We have learned at least one person from his family has come forward and told Gardai the child is dead.

And it is believed another woman has also contacted them and confirmed she was privately told the same.

But officers have so far received no information as to how exactly he died, or where it happened.

Gardai have been inundated with a large volume of new information from the public, including recent sightings of the boy, each of which are being checked out.

However, Gardai believe that Kyran lost his life around two years ago and hasn’t been seen alive since.

They have listed Kyran as missing, presumed dead.

Detectives are also aware of the identity of a child around the same age as Kyran who was used to impersonate him.

Kyran’s mother Dayla, who is currently in England, has been in contact with UK police to assure them that she is safe.

She was reported missing by her mother on August 30, along with Kyran.

She has been unable to tell both the UK police and Gardai where Kyran is.

A Garda source told The Irish Sun: “Somebody out there knows exactly what happened to little Kyran. We hope, in the coming days, that one or two individuals will be brave and honest enough to come forward and tell us the truth.

“We need to find this boy’s body and give him the Christian burial that he deserves.”

Gardai will now have to get court orders so they can search the properties on their list. It could take a number of days before a second search gets under way.

HOUSE SEARCH

Gardai spent three days at the former Durnin family’s residence in Dundalk last week, but didn’t find any of the child’s remains.

The family lived there up until May, but neighbours said they did not see Kyran — unlike the previous time they stayed in the rented house over two years ago.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris — a man with 34 years of policing experience in Northern Ireland, some of which were during The Troubles — said in all his years as a police officer, he has “never seen a set of circumstances” like those in this case.