THE SEARCH FOR a young boy feared dead is continuing today in Donabate.

Today marks day six of the search since child and family agency Tusla raised the alarm last Friday that the child, who the agency had had contact with previously, has not been seen in several years. 

He would now be seven-years-old. 

Gardaí have cordoned off a site near the boy’s last known address at The Gallery apartments in Donabate, north county Dublin. The area of interest being searched is an overgrown field off the Portrane Road, which features a small wooded area.

Tusla’s chief executive Kate Duggan said there were no child protection concerns during interactions with the boy’s family prior to the case being closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The matter has been referred to the independent National Review Panel (NRP) for investigation.

The boy’s disappearance has exacerbated concerns relating to Ireland’s child protection system, and Tusla’s handling of a number of sensitive cases. The ongoing case of the disappearance of Kyran Durnin, who is also thought to be dead, has been active for a year. 

In Kyran’s case, Tusla had also been involved with him and his family.

Speaking today on RTÉ’s This Week, chair of the NRP Dr Helen Buckley said the body is working on a report into Tusla’s interactions with the missing child and his family which will be delivered to Tusla and the relevant minister, Norma Foley. 

It can take up to a year to deliver a report, Buckley warned, and the decision on whether it is published lies with Tusla and the minister. However, she said she believes it should be made publicly available once it has been completed.

Buckley’s comments today follow the Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon expressing “extreme concern” over the State’s response to the child.

Muldoon described the situation as “shocking”, and questioned how a child known to Tusla could disappear despite having been in contact with multiple agencies.

“It is shocking that we are dealing with a situation where a child, who at one point was known to the Tusla, could have disappeared four years ago and is now presumed dead,” he said.

“How could a child have been born, dealt with all the relevant agencies and services, and then apparently, just disappear?”

Muldoon further expressed concern at the decision to refer the case to the NRP. He described the body as lacking statutory power and independent authority to publish reports.

“This is a structure that has no statutory power, has no independent authority to publish reports, and both Tusla and the Department of Children agreed that it is not fit for purpose since 2018,” he said.

Today, Buckley said that although the NRP has no statutory powers, it operates independently and will supply its report to the minister and Tusla for action.