Gardaí have released new images of missing schoolboy Kyran Durnin and said they have received extensive support from the public in relation to their investigation into his disappearance and murder.
However, gardaí have also said that despite their extensive and ongoing inquiries, they have been unable to locate Kyran, who would now be eight years old.
Gardaí said as part of these ongoing inquiries, new images of Kyran, which were taken in June 2022 when he was aged six, have been provided to the investigation team.
To date, two people, a man and a woman, have been arrested on suspicion of the schoolboy's murder and three houses have been searched, one in Dundalk and two in Drogheda.
This man, who was last week arrested as part of the investigation and questioned by gardaí before being released without charge, was found dead at his house in Drogheda on Tuesday.
He was named locally as 36-year-old Anthony Maguire.
Mr Maguire's house and its adjoining garden were also the subject of what gardaí described as an "intrusive" search that was carried out last week.
The last confirmed sighting of Kyran was in May 2022. He was reported missing at the end of August of this year.
In October, gardaí launched a murder investigation after they failed to uncover any evidence that led them to believe Kyran was still alive. Detectives are working on the assumption that he may have died up to two years ago.
Releasing the new images of Kyran, gardaí renewed their appeal for anyone with information on the case to come forward, and said they are aware of the level of speculation surrounding the case.
In a statement, gardaí said: "The investigation team, led by a Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) based out of an incident room established at Drogheda Garda Station continue to appeal to the public for any information in connection the disappearance of Kyran.
"An Garda Síochána is aware of the extensive public commentary on this investigation including speculation, rumours and theories on what may have happened to Kyran," the statement added.
"An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to the public, notwithstanding all the information that is in the public domain, to not assume that the investigation team know the information that you may have. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Those with any information can contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Gardaí also said that this investigation remains ongoing.
