Searches enter their third week to find a Belfast man currently missing in Spain.
John Hardy, also known as John George, last had contact with his family on December 14, when he drove from Alicante to Benidorm.
Hardy’s father Billy George, who has traveled to Spain, has said he believes his son is dead.
On Friday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued a new appeal for the public to share information as they assist Spanish police with their investigation.
It comes as a search and rescue team from Northern Ireland, which has been in Spain since New Year’s Day, ends its search.
On Saturday evening, K9 Search and Rescue NI, an all-volunteer dog search and rescue team, posted on Facebook that the search was “coming to an end for the time being, with unfortunately no results in locating missing Belfast man John George”.
The team said the search “covered large areas” and that the team will remain in “close contact” with John’s family and thanked them and police in Alicante for their support.
𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞, 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧. Our team’s search efforts are coming to an end for the time being, unfortunately without results…
Posted by K9 Search & Rescue NI on Saturday 4 January 2025
Ryan Gray is the team leader of the volunteer team helping locals find Mr Hardy.
Mr Gray says this is the first time they have dealt with a missing person outside Britain.
He said: “We have searched for missing persons in England and Scotland before, but when it comes to searching for missing persons in Northern Ireland abroad, this is a first.”
Mr Gray told BBC News NI that Mr George’s family “contacted us, they asked us to come and help and be accepted and now we are here doing the best we can”.
‘Quite large areas to cover’
There are seven team members and a victim recovery dog assisting in the search.
“We’re searching several areas here, it’s hot, about 17 or 18 degrees, although the boys are doing well, the dogs are fantastic and we’re covering quite a large area,” Mr Gray said.
Mr. Gray said issues could arise regarding logistics with an effort like this. He said that “a few guys had to ask for leave” and that “to get our dog here we had to use a Spanish airline, with a few stops along the way, but we are always ready”.
Police appeal
A public portal for information about Mr George’s disappearance was opened on Friday.
The PSNI has said it is “working closely with the missing man’s family and other law enforcement agencies”.
Additionally, they said liaison officers have been assigned to provide support to the family at this time.
“While investigations by Spanish police must continue, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has offered assistance to police in Spain and will assist with any local investigations as requested by them,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
Police have asked anyone who believes they have information that could assist the Spanish investigation team to contact them.
Any photos or images, including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage, can be shared with the PSNI via the public major incident portal, and that information will be forwarded to the Spanish Police.
The PSNI has no jurisdiction over the investigation in Spain and assistance is currently limited to Northern Ireland.