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Kyran Durnin was six years old when he was last seen alive - now authorities say a woman in her 50s has been arrested after police upgraded the missing person case to a murder investigation

A woman has been arrested in the investigation into the suspected murder of a six-year-old boy.

Little Kyran Durnin, who was six years old when he was last seen alive in June 2022, was officially reported missing at the end of August 2024.

Now a woman has been arrested by authorities investigating his disappearance after the missing person case was upgraded to a murder probe.

A search is also being carried out at a home in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, as Gardai said a woman in her 50s is being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a station in the eastern region.

The arrest comes less than two weeks after Kyran would have celebrated what would have been his 10th birthday, The Irish Mirror reports.

A Gardai spokesperson said in a statement: "Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin (6 years) have today, Monday 25th May 2026, arrested a woman in connection with the investigation.

"A search under warrant is being carried out at a domestic residence in Drogheda, Co. Louth, this morning.

"The woman (aged in her 50’s) is currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region.

"Investigations ongoing."

The Irish Mirror reported that, according to sources, the woman under arrest was known to Kyran.

It comes after Kyran Durnin was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co Louth, in August 2024. The child - who would have turned ten years less than two weeks ago - has not been seen since June 2022, and it's suspected he may have died that same year.

Gardaí upgraded the case to a murder investigation in October 2025. Anthony Maguire, a 36-year-old man arrested in connection with Kyran's suspected murder, was found dead in December 2024.

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