Kyran Durnin probe cops trawling GP and hospital records for any injury history as fresh searches due to be carried out

GARDAI have been checking the medical records of doctors and hospitals in the north-east to see if little Kyran Durnin was ever brought in with injuries.

Paramedics sources in the region say they have no knowledge of ever responding to a 999 call to treat the youngster.

Detectives are still trying to find out exactly what happened to the eight-year-old Drogheda boy who is missing but presumed dead.

It emerged yesterday that during the past week officers interviewed his mother Dayla Durnin at a location in eastern England where she is staying.

She gave Gardai a witness account of when she last saw Kyran.

They are satisfied that the young lad is dead but still do not know what precisely happened to him or where he is buried.

The Gardai are now expected to start searching at least one house in the Drogheda area over the coming weeks.

Two other properties in the area are also on their radar.

Detectives are also trying to account for a short period of time that the boy may have lived at an address around Newry, Co Down.

A Garda source said: “We have made contact with the mum and have spoken to her. She obviously does not have her son with her.

“The British police are also involved and have been very helpful. We are getting their full cooperation, such is the seriousness of the case.”

Tusla had also alerted the Gardai that they did not know where the child was and that there was a major problem.

Prayers for the child were said across masses in Louth yesterday and an appeal was again made for anyone with information to contact the Gardai.

Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Paddy McQuillian said: “If the suspicions by the Gardai are correct then a tragedy has befallen this poor boy.

“I would urge anyone with information that can assist the Gardai to please contact them today.”

'DEVASTATING SITUATION'

The Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “There is not a person in this country including myself who can think about this case without getting extraordinarily upset.

“This is a devastating situation. Not only have we a criminal investigation but we also have an eight-year-old child who was utterly failed by child protection services for a sustained period of time when he effectively disappeared.

“There is a serious child protection issue of absolute concern that really needs to be looked at.

“It horrifies us all as public representatives and as parents, and it is deeply concerning.”

CASE HOPES

Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu added: “We absolutely hope this investigation continues, that the child is found and we get some element of truth and justice.

“There is a wider issue regarding child welfare and child protection.”