Irish authorities have confirmed the discovery of skeletal remains believed to belong to a young boy who vanished several years ago, in a case that has raised serious questions about child protection oversight in the country.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, An Garda Síochána (Irish police) announced that “human skeletal remains of a child” had been found. Officers said they believe the remains are those of Daniel Aruebose, who was last seen at age three and would now be seven.
In a statement, Gardaí said they are working closely with the local coroner and that the remains will undergo “careful and sensitive exhumation” from the site where they were found. Formal identification, including DNA analysis, will be required to confirm the child’s identity.
Daniel was known to have lived at The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, County Dublin. Gardaí noted that there had been no confirmed sightings of him for several years.
The breakthrough follows weeks of investigation after concerns about Daniel’s welfare were raised by Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, Tusla, on Aug. 29. Two days later, on Aug. 31, Gardaí carried out a technical examination of the apartment complex where he once lived and began door-to-door inquiries. Since Sept. 1, police had been searching open ground nearby before eventually locating the remains.
Tusla revealed that it last had dealings with Daniel’s family five years ago, when he was around two years old and no longer in foster care. The agency said no new concerns were reported about him until August 2025. It is understood, according to RTÉ, that the case was flagged after a welfare payment application to the Department of Social Protection raised red flags — including the absence of any school records for Daniel. The matter was then referred to Tusla, and subsequently to Gardaí.
Authorities believe Daniel spent his first 18 months in foster care before being returned to his biological family.
In a statement, Tusla said: “The death of a young boy is an unimaginable tragedy, and we offer sincere condolences to those who knew and loved Daniel. We will continue to engage fully with An Garda Síochána as they continue their investigations and will provide support and care to those impacted.”
The agency confirmed that a full review of its handling of the case will be submitted to Ireland’s Minister for Children, Norma Foley, by the end of the month. Tusla also pledged to carry out a broader audit of cases that may have been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic without follow-up.
“The provisional number of children encompassed by this review is currently 42,552,” the agency said, noting it is working with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to determine the scope and resources required.
Minister Foley has directed Tusla to prioritize wellness checks on these cases and has requested a detailed review from the National Review Panel.
Daniel’s disappearance and the belated discovery of his remains have cast a spotlight on potential gaps in Ireland’s child welfare system. For now, Gardaí say their focus remains on formally identifying the remains and piecing together what happened to the little boy whose absence went unnoticed for so long.
