Phone Records Shed Light on Circumstances Surrounding Donabate Child Remains Discovery

Phone records have provided investigators with fresh insights into the online activity of Maria Aruebose, the mother of three-year-old Daniel Aruebose, whose partial skeletal remains are believed to have been recovered from marshland in Donabate last week.

Daniel, who disappeared four years ago, was the subject of a 16-day search operation across wasteland along the Portrane Road. The discovery of skeletal remains brought a tragic conclusion to the exhaustive search for the missing child, who is believed to have been secretly buried shortly after his death.

Gardaí are awaiting DNA confirmation to formally establish that the remains belong to Daniel. A post-mortem examination has already been conducted but proved inconclusive; further specialist tests are now underway to determine the cause of death.

Investigators were informed that Daniel had died of natural causes and was buried in secret approximately 4km from The Gallery Apartments, the family’s former residence. His parents, Ciaran Dirrane and Maria Aruebose, have been cooperating with Gardaí and continue to engage informally with the investigation team.

According to case sources, Google searches made on Maria Aruebose’s phone included queries such as “penalties for secretly burying a child” and “missing child.” However, investigators stressed that there was no record of searches relating to murder. “While the searches provide some insight into her state of mind, they do not in themselves indicate criminal wrongdoing,” a source noted.

To date, no arrests have been made, but Gardaí have identified several individuals they wish to interview formally. Earlier inquiries revealed that Maria Aruebose initially told Gardaí her son was dead but did not disclose where he had been buried—directing investigators instead to her then partner, Daniel’s father. She later admitted that both parents had buried the child in the marshland, guiding Gardaí and her solicitor Martin O’Donnell to the site where skeletal remains were eventually recovered.

The investigation gained urgency in late August, when it emerged that Daniel had been unaccounted for nearly four years. A routine spot check by the Department of Social Protection had flagged concerns, prompting Tusla and Gardaí to intervene.

Daniel’s remains were removed to Dublin City Mortuary on September 18, with a post-mortem completed the following day. Gardaí have confirmed that the results are being withheld for operational reasons pending DNA analysis and formal identification.

In a statement, Gardaí appealed for public assistance:
“Anyone with information relating to the death of Daniel Aruebose is urged to contact the investigation team at Swords Garda Station on 01-6664700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”

The case has prompted calls for accountability. Local councillor Corina Johnson described the tragedy as “horrific” and urged the State to ensure such failures are never repeated. She also proposed a public memorial at the Donabate site where the remains were discovered.

“This is an absolutely devastating case,” Johnson said. “The State has questions to answer. We cannot allow this to happen to another child.”

In an updated statement to the Irish Mirror, An Garda Síochána confirmed that investigations into “all the circumstances” surrounding Daniel’s disappearance and death remain ongoing.