Peter John ENRIGHT

                                                                     Maureen Enright is accused of murdering her son Peter.

Police finish search for Inala boy not seen in 50 years

Police say they have not been able to find remains of a young boy not seen in more than 50 years, who has become the subject of one of Australia’s oldest homicide probes.

The boy’s mother Maureen Anne Enright, 76, has been charged with her son’s murder and has been remanded in custody.

Peter, who was autistic, has not been seen since 1968 or 1969 when he was aged three to four.

Police last week began searching for the little boy’s remains at 35 Polaris St, Inala, where his family have lived since 1966.

“Forensic officers examined areas of interest on the property over eight days,” police said in a statement today.

“No skeletal remains were located.

“A 76-year-old woman was charged with murder on October 21. As the matter is before court no further information is available at this time. Police continue to encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.”

It’s unclear if police found anything else of interest in relation to the investigation.

Police used ground-penetrating radar equipment to search the space under the family’s house for the little boy.

Peter was the fourth of 11 children.

During an appeal for information last week, police said Peter’s siblings were aware he was dead.

It’s understood people were told the little boy was sent to live with another family, was given up for adoption or was put into a home.

Neighbours told The Courier-Mail they had heard family members arguing loudly at the Polaris St home in recent months and it was understood one relative approached police in August with information about the missing boy.

Homicide Detective Inspector Damien Hansen said police had found no proof Peter was alive past 1968 or 1969. He was never reported missing.

Peter was born on June 17, 1965, to Michael and Maureen Enright. Michael died in 2018.

Det Insp Hansen said police had obtained records of Peter’s birth and had trawled adoption records but found no evidence of him being adopted.

“They (the family) are quite well known, some of the neighbours have been here for a long time too and we’ve managed to track down some people who did live in the street and knew the Enrights, had gone to school with Enright siblings and have made contact with us,” he said.

“If there are people out there ... who have information please contact us.”

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000

An elderly woman charged with murdering her son more than 50 years ago has been granted bail, with a Queensland judge describing the case against her as almost "non-existent".

Maureen Enright, 76, was arrested in October and charged with the murder of her son, Peter John Enright.

Police allege the boy was three or four years old at the time of his death at Inala in either 1968 or 1969.

In the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Justice Peter Callaghan granted Ms Enright bail, describing the crown case for murder as "at the very least, weak".

"In the face of my specific request, the DPP [Director of Public Prosecution] cannot identify a case of murder against her," Justice Callaghan said.

"That allows me to conclude that the evidence against her is, at the very least, weak.

"I might opine that it is not just weak but it is non-existent."

Prosecutor Mark Whitbread conceded there was no evidence about how the boy died.

"In respect of murder there is no evidence as to what mechanism caused the death of the child," Mr Whitbread said.

"It really comes down to the child missing from a certain day and the various versions given by Ms Enright as to where the child is that the Crown says can be disproved."

Outside court, defence barrister Andrew Bale said the genesis of the case seemed to be "rumours and innuendos".

"I thought His Honour made some really strong observations, particularly in relation to the complete lack of a Crown case against her for the offence of murder," Mr Bale said.

"From our perspective we'll be maintaining the pressure that this elderly and unwell lady has no case to answer and should be left alone."

Mr Bale said Ms Enright has not been coping well in custody, and her family was relieved by today's decision.

"Her family are delighted that mum can come home, but there is a long road to go yet," Mr Bale said.

"She's got a lot of hurdles to face from here on, but it's an important step today to at least get her out so she can go back to be with family so she can get the support and treatment she needs."

Justice Callaghan granted Ms Enright bail with conditions.

"It is not suggested that Ms Enright, who is of advanced years, is someone who might commit further offences were she to be granted bail," Justice Callaghan told the court.

"Whilst there is always an incentive for someone charged with murder to abscond it is also not contended there is any realistic danger of her failing to appear."