Locals on Donabate are “heartbroken” about the disappearance of a little boy from their community. 

On Monday evening, Gardaí announced they were looking for a child who had not been seen for several years in the north Dublin town. 

Officers said he is “presumed dead” but that if he is still alive, he would be seven years old. 

An area of open ground has been cordoned off by Gardaí and a search is currently underway. 

“It’s about five minutes from where this boy is last known to have lived in the Gallery Apartments in Donabate,” reporter Emilly Keegan explained on Newstalk Breakfast.  

“But Gardaí say - and the new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed yesterday - that they haven’t been able to locate him, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive.

“They haven’t confirmed or revealed any details about the boy or the family for operational reasons. 

“But what we do know and what has been confirmed to us yesterday, is that Tusla was engaged with this boy and the family through the family’s own request. 

“But that engagement ended five years ago and they said there was no cause for concern and no new referrals raised until last month. 

“They relayed their concerns to the Gardaí; Gardaí took control of this area of land on Monday evening and the search began yesterday.” 

Gardaí in Donabate. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie.

Yesterday, around 100 members of the local community gathered together in Donabate for a vigil. 

Candles were lit and words of comfort were offered. 

“You could really get that feeling that the community is shook from this news,” Emily said. 

“Even this row that they’re searching is a very open row, there are very wide footpaths, it’s a very popular walking route. 

“You can hear it among the people walking by, they’re all discussing how shocked they are, how concerned they are. 

“People are really just heartbroken and at the root of it all, they’re just concerned for this boy.”

Main image: Gardaí in Donabate. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/ RollingNews.ie