The father of a West Belfast dad, who is believed dead after going missing in Spain almost three weeks ago, has made an emotional plea for the return of his son’s body.
John George, also known as John Hardy, had been holidaying in the Spanish city and was last in touch with his family on December 14. He was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home to Northern Ireland.
Spanish police believe John, a dad-of-two, was killed shortly after December 14. His family say they won’t rest until his body is recovered and brought back home to Belfast.
READ MORE: NI rescue team returns from Spain after search for missing Belfast man
READ MORE: ‘Someone knows’ Brother of man missing in Spain makes appeal for his body
His father Billy is in Alicante helping in the search with wife Sharon, and John’s siblings Darren, Courtney and Caitlin, along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland.
In another emotional video posted on Facebook on Monday, Billy George said: “Another day and another nightmare we are living. Why won’t they just give the body up and we get out of here, please. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never begged for anything in my life but if you want me to get on my hands and knees, I’ll beg.
“Just give me John’s body. If you have a conscience, just give me the body. This is just a living nightmare for me, his mother, his brother and sisters and his family. You don’t know how much yous are hurting us, Whatever it is, whatever went wrong, just give me the body. Please, please, please, I can’t keep begging yous, I just need my son. I just want to bring my son home”
The family has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money towards the search, which has already raised more than £24,000 so far.
Members of K9 Search And Rescue NI, a volunteer canine search team, travelled to Alicante last week to join the wide-scale operation to find him. Seven K9 search technicians and their Labrador retriever Rocko took part in the operation. They searched almost 1,200 acres of land, with more than 350km covered by foot, dogs and a drone.
Police in Northern Ireland have also opened a public portal for information. In a statement issued on Friday evening, the PSNI said it has been liaising closely with the missing man’s family and other law enforcement agencies. Dedicated Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to provide support to the family at this time.
The QR code for the PSNI’s Major Incident Public Portal
(Image: PSNI)
A police spokesperson said: “While the investigation must be progressed by Spanish police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland have made an offer of assistance to police in Spain and will assist with any local enquiries as requested by them.
“We would ask anyone who believes they may have information which could assist the Spanish Investigation Team with their investigation to contact us on 101. Any photographs or footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the Police Service of Northern Ireland through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI24T24-PO1 and that information will be forwarded to Spanish Police.”
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