Irish Child Welfare Agency Reviews Closed Cases After Missing Boy Search

The search continues in Donabate, north Dublin, for a missing boy who is now feared dead, prompting calls for a statutory review into how his welfare was monitored after child agency Tusla's involvement ended in 2020. Children's Minister Norma Foley described the case as "hugely disturbing" and has requested Tusla to carry out wellbeing checks on all cases closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, starting with those involving children. Tusla had initially engaged with the boy's family five years ago when the parents considered adoption but later decided to keep the child, leading to the closure of the case. Gardaí are actively investigating the disappearance after concerns were raised by Tusla last Friday, and a rapid review of the Donabate case is underway, to be examined by an independent panel. The Taoiseach has cautioned against rushing to conclusions, emphasizing Ireland's strong child protection system despite the distressing circumstances. This case has renewed scrutiny of Tusla following a similar disappearance last year involving another child, Kyran Durnin.