Issue Date: 28/08/2026
An Garda Síochána continues to investigate the disappearance and homicide of Daniel Aruebose, whose date of birth is the 12th December 2017.
Daniel was a happy, vibrant young boy and An Garda Síochána is determined to vindicate Daniel’s human rights and remember him and his short life.
This weekend marks one year since the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, raised concerns about Daniel with An Garda Síochána on Friday, 29th August 2025. At that time, it had been a number of years since there had been any confirmed sighting of Daniel, who would now be eight (8) years old.
Daniel lived in The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, Co. Dublin.
Following Daniel’s death in 2021 his remains were buried in an unmarked grave in waste ground outside Donabate.
In September 2025, following extensive searches on open ground in Donabate, Daniel’s remains were discovered and carefully exhumed from the burial site.
An Garda Síochána continues to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death.
A post-mortem examination was completed at Dublin City Mortuary, the results of which have not been released for operational reasons.
Following enquiries conducted at that time and based on information available to investigating Gardaí, An Garda Síochána commenced a homicide investigation into Daniel’s death.
The Garda investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer based out of an incident room established at Swords Garda Station.
Gardaí at Swords are supported by Crime East DMR North Garda Division, Divisional Search Team, Divisional Scenes of Crime Team, Uniformed and Community Policing resources.
The investigation is fully resourced and has been supported by national units including the Garda National Technical Bureau, Garda Air Support Unit, Garda Dog Unit and the Garda Síochána Analysis Service. External expertise including a forensic anthropologist, forensic archaeologist and specialist PSNI cadaver dogs have been utilised.
During the past year, over 800 jobs have been conducted by Garda personnel. The investigation team have taken over 400 statements and retained over 100 physical exhibits and nearly 300 documentary exhibits.
Throughout the past 12 months, the investigation into the disappearance and homicide of Daniel Aruebose has involved ongoing collaboration across multiple domestic and international jurisdictions.
As part of these comprehensive enquiries, the investigation team has actively engaged with international partners including law enforcement authorities in the United States, Brazil, France and the United Kingdom, alongside the Australian Federal Police, the Portuguese Judicial Police, Interpol and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
Coordination has also been maintained with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the central channels for Mutual Legal Assistance to gather critical evidence and facilitate international legal requests.
To date, two people have been arrested and detained in connection with this investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Timeline
On Friday, 29th August 2025, concerns for Daniel were raised by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) with An Garda Síochána.
On Sunday 31st August 2025 investigating Gardaí carried out a technical examination of an apartment at The Gallery Apartments, Donabate, Co. Dublin. House to house enquiries commenced at The Gallery Apartments complex.
On Monday, 1st September 2025, investigating Gardaí took control of an area of open ground in Donabate, Co. Dublin which was the subject of extensive searches.
On 17th September 2025, Gardaí recovered the human remains of a child on open ground in Donabate. DNA analysis confirmed these remains to be those of Daniel Aruebose.
On 19th September 2025, a post-mortem examination was completed at Dublin City Mortuary.
On 22nd December 2025, a woman aged in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of murder and later released without charge.
On 10th February 2026, a man aged in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of murder and later released without charge.
Appeal
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has any information in relation to the disappearance and homicide of Daniel Aruebose to contact the investigation team at Swords Garda Station on 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any member of An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána appeals to any person who was resident in The Gallery Apartments complex in Donabate between July 2019 to the present date, to speak with the investigation team, if they have not already done so.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to the public not to assume that the investigation team know information that you may have or that any information you may have is insignificant.
If you had any interaction with Daniel Aruebose or if you have any information in relation to Daniel Aruebose please contact An Garda Síochána and let the investigation team determine the significance of any information.
Any contact will be welcomed by the investigation team and treated in the strictest confidence.
An Garda Síochána is aware of the extensive public commentary that has circulated in relation to this investigation. Gardaí are appealing to all members of the public to verify any information they encounter — particularly speculation, rumours, or theories which are not helpful to the investigation and do not assist An Garda Síochána in determining the facts of what happened to Daniel.
Please independently verify any content you read on social media or messaging apps before sharing it.
