Gardaí investigating the disappearance of a three-year-old child who went missing four years ago have discovered skeletal remains in north Co Dublin.
The discovery was made during the garda search of open ground on Portrane Road in Donabate.
Detectives believe the remains are of missing child Daniel Aruebose, who is known to have resided at The Gallery apartments in Donabate. He would now be seven years of age.
Following inquiries carried out and information available, gardaí are satisfied that Daniel has died.
Gardaí are continuing to carry out house to house inquiries at The Gallery complex.
The scene has been preserved pending the arrival of a State pathologist and a forensic anthropologist.
The remains will be exhumed and the Garda Technical Bureau will conduct a forensic examination of the area where the body was found.
A specialist forensic paediatric pathologist will also be engaged to conduct a post-mortem examination on the child’s remains to try to establish the cause of death.
DNA samples will also be taken to confirm the child’s identity.
The child has not been seen for over four years and was only discovered missing after the Department of Social Protection alerted Tusla to irregularities in an application for child support payments.
Tusla contacted gardaí who commenced an investigation and search of the lands at Donabate where they had been told the child was buried after he had died from natural causes.
Gardaí with specialist equipment and a cadaver dog have been searching the area for more than two weeks before the discovery was made this morning.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has said gardaí were "not rushing" this investigation and that every resource necessary was available to the investigation team.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal to the public for more information, and to anyone who was a resident in The Gallery Apartments complex in Donabate between July 2019 to the present date, to speak with the investigation team.
Meanwhile, Minister for Children Norma Foley has said that she is "deeply saddened" that the remains of a young child have been found.
In a statement, she said: "the death of a child is always heart-breaking and upsetting but it is especially so for those who knew and loved this child. I extend my very sincere sympathy to all involved."
