'Very distressing' - Search continues for missing boy in Dublin as Taoiseach issues warning to public

Micheál Martin has urged the public not to "jump to conclusions" as Gardaí say they are still investigating the disappearance of  a young boy, who is presumed dead, in Dublin.

The investigation was launched earlier this week after Tusla raised the alarm with the Gardaí after the agency received new information regarding the young boy who is believed to have been in the agency's care since shortly after his birth in 2018 before he was returned to his parents in 2020.

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It is understood the boy, whose last known address was at The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, county Dublin, was last seen when he was three and that he was first placed in Tusla's care as his parents wanted to get him adopted but then changed their minds.

Tusla has confirmed that they were engaging with the child and his family up until 2020, but say there were no concerns for the child's safety and wellbeing until August 2025 when staff contacted the Gardaí.

In a statement, Tusla said, 

"In response to queries about any engagement our services had with this child and family, whilst priority at this time is to allow An Garda Síochána to conduct their investigation, we do not want to be open and transparent with the public without impacting the investigation

"At the request of the family, our services had previous engagement with this child and their family, and these services ceased in 2020.

"Since 2020, no new referral or new information of concern was received about this child until August 2025. On foot of this we contacted An Garda Síochána with our concerns for the safety and wellbeing of the child.

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"As is normal process, where there is a serious incident or death involving a child open to, or previously known to our service, we conduct a review of our engagement and that review is sent to the National Review Panel.

"While this is being completed, the priority must be on allowing An Garda Síochána to complete their investigations, without doing anything to interfere with that, and with that in mind we will no be providing further detail on our involvement with the child and their family at this time."

On Monday, Gardaí began searching an area of open in ground in Donabate and will continue to do so over the coming days.

When contacted for comment or any further updates on the search, Gardaí said

"There is no update at this time, Searches and investigations are still ongoing."

Speaking to Cabinet on Wednesday morning, the Taoiseach warned people to not rush to conclusions saying that Ireland has a "strong and robust" child protection system.

"It is very, very distressing in terms of what has happened here," the Taoiseach said.

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"The Garda investigation is underway, I would caution against people rushing to conclusions and apportioning blame far too early. 

"Tusla has issued a statement in respect of it's engagement with the child and with the family. What is important now is that Gardaí can bring this investigation to a conclusion as quickly as possible."