Crime World Episode 1188: Gardaí search devices owned by missing Donabate boy's mother
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Sep 17, 2025 Ali Bracken, a dedicated journalist covering the missing boy case in Donabate, sheds light on the ongoing investigation. She discusses the recent seizure of a gaming console from the boy's mother, raising questions about the family's dynamics. The chat reveals the emotional turmoil surrounding the child's disappearance and the impact of miscommunication with authorities. Ali also highlights the complexities of child welfare issues and the role of social services in this heartbreaking narrative.
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Renewal Form Triggered The Inquiry
- The mother's renewal form to Social Protection raised suspicion because she omitted school and GP details for her seven-year-old son.
- That prompted Tusla involvement and the first Garda visit to her Donabate home where a hidden photo and no child belongings were found.
Parents' Account Of Child's Death And Burial
- The parents told Gardaí they found the child cold in bed and, in panic, buried him in a shallow grave without tools.
- Both parents have given broadly matching accounts that the boy died naturally and they concealed his death.
Burial Conditions Complicate Recovery
- The marshy ground and shallow burial raise the possibility that animal disturbance or removal occurred soon after the burial.
- Gardaí accept the child is dead but must locate remains to determine cause of death and possible forensic evidence.