An Garda Síochána has renewed its public appeal for information regarding the disappearance and death of three-year-old Daniel Aruebose, whose skeletal remains were recovered from Donabate, Co Dublin, last year. Investigators have conducted over 800 tasks and taken more than 400 statements over the past twelve months.
As the investigation reaches its one-year milestone since child and family agency Tusla first raised safety concerns on August 29, 2025, Irish law enforcement maintains that the force is determined to vindicate the young boy’s human rights. Daniel was last seen alive around five years ago at his home in The Gallery Apartments complex in Donabate when he was just three years old. His death and secret burial only came to light after routine checks on social welfare payments at the Department of Social Protection triggered safety inquiries. The department alerted Tusla who contacted gardaí. At that time, it had been a number of years since there had been any confirmed sighting of Daniel, who would now be eight years old.
The Discovery of Remains and Forensic Investigations in Donabate
Following notifications from Tusla in late August 2025, gardaí launched extensive searches across open ground in Donabate. On September 17, 2025, human remains of a child were recovered and subsequently confirmed through DNA analysis to belong to Daniel Aruebose. Investigators established that after his death in 2021, his body had been buried in an unmarked grave on waste ground outside Donabate.
A post-mortem examination was conducted at Dublin City Mortuary, though officials withheld the specific findings for operational reasons. On December 11, 2025, a formal homicide investigation opened. Led by a senior investigating officer operating out of an incident room established at Swords Garda Station, the inquiry utilized specialized external expertise, including a forensic anthropologist, a forensic archaeologist, and specialist PSNI cadaver dogs.
International Collaboration and Arrests Across Jurisdictions
The scale of the inquiry has extended far beyond County Dublin. Over the past year, the investigation team has completed 800 jobs, retaining over 100 physical exhibits and nearly 300 documentary exhibits. Authorities have engaged with law enforcement agencies 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.
Domestic coordination has run parallel to international requests. “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,” the garda statement said.
To date, two individuals—a man and a woman—have been arrested in connection with the case and subsequently released without charge. Last December, a woman in her 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder before being freed. Later in the month, police in Brazil arrested an Irish man in connection with Daniel’s death. In February this year, a man in his 20s was arrested by gardaí off a flight at Dublin Airport.
Public Appeals and Memories From Daniel’s Foster Family
Investigators are urging anyone who resided in The Gallery Apartments complex in Donabate between July 2019 and the present to come forward if they have not yet spoken with the investigation team. The public has also been asked to share any piece of information, even if it appears insignificant, with gardaí, who will determine the significance of the information. Gardaí also urged the public to verify any speculation, rumours or theories before sharing it, noting that any contact will be welcomed by the investigation team and treated in the strictest confidence.
In the wake of the discovery, members of Daniel’s early life shared reflections on the young boy. Placed in foster care from birth, in December 2017, he spent nearly a year with a family who viewed him as a brother before he returned to his biological family. His former foster sister told The Journal that he became a part of the family quickly
and was the sweetest little baby ever
. Remembering Danny, his foster sister said: He was so clever. I obviously might be a little biased, but he already had a strong personality, he loved dancing, he loved laughing, and he loved showing off that he understood you.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Swords Garda Station at 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any member of An Garda Síochána.
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