Gardaí (Irish police) are searching an area of open ground in County Dublin for a young boy who is presumed dead.
There has been no confirmed sighting of the child, who would be seven years old now, for a number of years, they said.
On Monday evening Gardaí said they “took control of an area” in Donabate, which will be searched in the coming days.
They were first alerted to the case on Friday by the Republic of Ireland’s child and family agency, Tusla.
The boy is last known to have resided at The Gallery Apartments, Donabate.
An Garda Síochána said it has been “unable to either locate the boy, identify any information on his current whereabouts or any evidence that he is currently alive”.
They said he is “missing, presumed dead”.
On Tuesday, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the previous evening “investigating Gardai took control of an open area of ground in Donabate County Dublin which will be subject to a search in coming days.
“A senior investigating officer has been appointed and all necessary expertise and resources have been provided to the investigation.”
In a statement, Tusla said a referral was made to An Garda Síochána on 29 August, following an application made for a social welfare payment.
Tulsa have said they will “continue to work closely with gardaí” throughout the investigation.
The investigation is being led by a senior investigating officer based out of an incident room at Swords Garda Station.
No arrests have been made.