Donabate councillor calls for full inquiry and support for community after boy's remains found

Vivienne Clarke

Labour councillor for the Donabate area, Corina Johnson, has spoken of the devastation and heartbreak in the area and how the community was “rocked” when the news broke of the discovery of the remains of Daniel Aruebose.

“When the Gardaí released the photograph and his name, that really hit home to everybody in this community,” she told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.

“I think it's really important to people here because this investigation has been ongoing for the last two and a half weeks, but there has been no name, we knew it was a little boy and now we know that this beautiful little boy, Daniel, and he's a beautiful little child, only three years of age, we now have a picture and a visual image of what this boy looks like, and it's very real.”

Cllr Johnson spoke of how “very, very difficult” it had been for the community over the past few weeks because the site where the little boy’s remains were discovered is near two local primary schools and a walkway to local sports grounds.

“So a lot of children and families would actually walk or drive by their school and access the sports grounds, so a lot of children are asking questions the last couple of weeks from their parents in school, so it has been a very, very difficult time for this community.

“This is very raw to the community in Donabate. The vigil that took place a couple of weeks ago was really everybody coming together to support each other through this difficult time, and also to be thinking of the little boy Daniel.”

Cllr Johnson said she was calling for a public inquiry into this matter.

“I'm quite concerned that this child, it appears, was in the care of the State. I think the State has questions to answer. I understand the Minister has requested that Tusla carry out a review of their own dealings with this family.

“This can't happen again. This is an absolutely horrific tragedy. And we cannot see this happen to another child again.”

Cllr Johnson also called on anyone with information that may be able to assist the Gardaí in their investigation to come forward.

“But I'm also calling for the Minister to provide support for the many children, teachers and support staff in our local schools who are traumatised and have been asking questions over the last couple of weeks.”