Police in Northern Ireland have opened a public portal for information in relation to a west Belfast dad who has been missing in Spain for over a fortnight.
John Hardy, also known as John George, travelled to Spain three weeks ago to visit friends. He was last in touch with his family on December 14 when he drove from Alicante to Benidorm.
The alarm was raised on December 18 as the 37-year-old missed his flight home to spend Christmas with his kids. His mobile phone has been off since December 14, prompting his family and friends to travel to the holiday hotspot in search of him.
READ MORE: NI search and rescue team join hunt for missing Belfast man in Spain
READ MORE: PSNI makes “offer of assistance to police in Spain” looking for missing NI man
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.
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.
The QR code for the PSNI’s Major Incident Public Portal
(Image: PSNI)
“A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
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. This week a team from K9 Search and Rescue travelled to Alicante to help with the search for John.
His family has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money towards the search, which has already raised more than £23,000 so far.
In an emotional video posted on Facebook on New Year’s Day, John’s father, Billy, said: “Still no joy with John. This is going on too long. Please I beg you from the bottom of my heart, just give me him back and we’re out of here. I’m staying until I get him. Please just give me my son. That’s all I want, just my son.”
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