Gardaí at a search site in Donabate yesterday.

Donabate

Search for missing boy presumed dead in Donabate due to continue this morning

The boy, who would be seven years old, has not been seen in several years.

8.14am, 3 Sep 2025

GARDAÍ ARE EXPECTED to continue searches in Donabate today as it investigates the disappearance of a young boy, who is presumed dead.

The boy, who would be seven years old, has not been seen in several years. His identity has not been released. 

Yesterday evening, child and family agency Tusla confirmed that it had previous contact with the boy and his family, “at the request of the family”. This contact ceased in 2020.

The agency raised concerns with gardaí on Friday last week after it received new information regarding the boy. 

Gardaí have cordoned off an area nearby The Gallery Apartments in Donate, Co Dublin, where the boy is last known to have resided. Residents yesterday told The Journal of their shock as gardaí searched the area.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly yesterday told reporters that gardaí have been unable to either locate the boy or find any evidence that he is still alive. 

Kelly said yesterday that investigating gardaí took control of an open area of ground in Donabate on Monday evening, “which will be subject to a search in the coming days”.