Missing child search called off as body of boy (14) found on Meath beach

RIP.

Gardaí have called off the search for a missing 14 year old boy after a body was found on Laytown beach in Co. Meath. A search had been underway for missing Bilal Tunkara since Wednesday, with the sad discovery made on Thursday. Gardaí closed off the scene after the Irish Coast Guard helped in the search when the tragedy struck. A garda spokesperson said: "Following the discovery of a body in Laytown, Co. Meath this afternoon, Thursday, 11th August 2022, the search for missing person Bilal Tunkara has been stood down. "An Garda Síochána would like to thank the media and public for their assistance in this matter. No further action is required and no further information is available at this time." The teenager was reported to be a resident of the Mosney direct provision centre and disappeared from there on Wednesday which raised concerns with his family. He had been last seen in the Julianstown area wearing a black and white rugby style jersey and dark grey tracksuit bottoms and was thought to be travelling by bicycle.