Pathologists say there is very 'little to go on' regarding child remains

Kenneth Fox

Pathologists trying to determine how Daniel Aruebose died have “little to go on” because the remains discovered are only partial.

Garda HQ said on Wednesday that skeletal remains of a child were discovered at a site in north Dublin that morning, close to the location where gardaí had been told Daniel’s body had been buried.

The Irish Examiner reports that, while still awaiting formal DNA confirmation, Garda HQ said they believe the remains are those of Daniel.

The boy, who would be aged seven now, went missing when he was around three years old, back in 2021.

Gardaí released a photograph of him when he was aged two and a half.

There have been confusing and conflicting accounts as to how Daniel died, ranging from an accidental death and panicked burial to a violent death.

While searches are continuing at the site in Donabate for further remains, the Garda investigation is expected to turn back to the parents of the boy, and others, to get a full and consistent account of what happened.

Daniel’s mother, an Irish citizen, originally from Africa, lives in Dublin.

The boy's father, who is Irish, moved abroad and lives in South America with a new partner.

Gardaí are waiting to see if the father returns to Ireland, now that his son’s remains have been found, and to help organise a burial.

It is understood that gardaí are doing what they can to encourage and facilitate his return.

Concerns about Daniel’s welfare were first raised by Tusla to gardaí on August 29th.