FEDERAL POLICE IN Brazil have arrested an Irish citizen who is understood to be suspected in connection to the death of Daniel Arubose.

A spokesperson for Brazilian police said that the man was arrested over an immigration issue, and will be deported to Ireland.

Daniel, who would have turned eight on 12 December, was last seen alive at his home in the Gallery Apartments in Donabate at the age of three.

On 17 September, gardaí recovered the human remains of a child on open ground in Donabate. DNA analysis later confirmed these remains to be those of Daniel.

Following enquiries conducted to date and based on information available, gardaí commenced a homicide investigation on 11 December.

Police in Brazil yesterday arrested a man for “deportation purposes” and a spokesperson said the “deportee was in Brazil in an irregular immigration situation”.

The spokesperson added that the arrest is the result of international police cooperation between the Federal Police, through the Federal Police Superintendency in Maranhão and the Directorate of International Cooperation, with the participation of the Attachés in Colombia and the UK, as well as gardaí.

The spokesperson said the deportation process is “ongoing” and that the “deportee will be returned to Ireland”.

A garda spokesperson said An Garda Síochána is “aware of the arrest of an Irish citizen in Brazil on immigration related matters only”.

The spokesperson added that this is a matter for the Brazilian authorities at this time.

Earlier this week, a woman in her 20s who was arrested on suspicion of Daniel’s murder was released without charge.