The child, who would be seven years old if still alive, has not been seen in several years.

A search of open ground began in Donabate this week after concerns for the boy were raised by Tusla on Friday.

She acknowledged that the disappearance of a child would not have been apparent during Covid lockdowns.

Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman said three investigations are under way into what happened to Kyran Durnin.

It’s believed the boy had become separated from his family, who then tried to find him