POLICE in Northern Eire have issued a press release to the general public amid the continuing seek for lacking Belfast man John Hardy.
The 37-year-old father-of-two has been lacking since December 14, when he was attributable to drive from Alicante to Benidorm however by no means arrived.
His household consider he was ‘lured’ to Spain by a ‘good friend’ who shot and killed him earlier than disposing of the physique.
His final contact along with his household was a ‘distressed’ cellphone name on the day he disappeared, earlier than he missed his flight dwelling on December 18.
The police in Northern Eire (PSNI) have now opened a public portal in order that anybody can ship in proof or data related to the case.
The power mentioned it has been working intently with John’s household and different legislation enforcement companies.
It added that has provided help to Spanish police and can help when requested to, whereas Household Liaison Officers are offering assist to kin.
A spokesperson mentioned: “Whereas the investigation should be progressed by Spanish police, the Police Service of Northern Eire have made a suggestion of help to police in Spain and can help with any native enquiries as requested by them.
“We’d ask anybody who believes they could have data which may help the Spanish Investigation Crew with their investigation to contact us on 101.
“Any images or footage, together with CCTV, cell phone or sprint cam footage, will be shared with the Police Service of Northern Eire by way of the Main Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI24T24-PO1 and that data can be forwarded to Spanish Police.
“A report will also be made utilizing the web reporting type by way of www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or alternatively, data will also be offered to the unbiased charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on-line at www.crimestoppers-uk.org which is 100% nameless and offers individuals the facility to talk up and cease crime.”
Northern Eire K9 Search and Rescue charity has flown out a crew and a sniffer canine to help the search.
It mentioned in a press release final evening: “Seven of our crew and one K9 are on their option to Alicante, Spain from varied airports, within the seek for a lacking man from Northern Eire.
“We are going to be a part of Evolsar colleagues from SAR Crew, additionally with a K9. We hope to replace you on our progress.”
The Guardia Civil advised the Olive Press right now: “On December 21, the Guardia Civil of Alicante discovered of the disappearance of a 37-year-old (Northern) Irish man named John Hardy.
“Since then, all brokers have been finishing up search efforts, however haven’t been capable of present any additional data right now.”
There’s now a 50-strong crew of largely Northern Irish residents who’re serving to search the Cabo Roig space of Alicante and Torrevieja.
John’s sister Courtney George advised El Español this week: “It’s been the worst New 12 months’s Eve of our lives, I don’t need it to be 2025.”
Kinfolk, together with John’s father Billy George, are satisfied he was murdered after being ‘lured’ to Spain below ‘false’ pretences of a vacation.
Tons of of individuals attended a vigil in Belfast on New 12 months’s Eve as they demanded solutions from those that know what occurred.
John arrived to Alicante on December 4 and was attributable to fly again to Belfast on December 18 for Christmas, however by no means made his flight.
Courtney claimed: “His good friend is the primary suspect. He’s not a great particular person, he was harmful and had medicine and weapons.”
She mentioned the good friend, who can’t be named for authorized causes, has provided no assist to seek out John and will have fled to Thailand instantly after the alleged crime – though she admitted they haven’t any concrete proof to assist that idea.
Sources from the Judicial Police of Pilar de la Horadada advised El Español that the case continues to be being handled as lacking individuals investigation – regardless of earlier experiences in Northern Irish media that it was being handled as a criminal offense.
Courtney added: “Members of the family, buddies and other people from Belfast have come who need to assist search for his physique. We’re a giant household, and John was well-known and cherished.
“We’re looking in Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja. We solely need his physique again, that’s the reason we’re providing a big reward. We need to go dwelling to bury him and by no means return to Spain once more.”
She admitted than Spanish police ‘are serving to’ however that the police system is ‘very completely different’ from Belfast.
Different members of the family criticised Spanish authorities on the outset of the seek for what they initially perceived as inaction.
It comes after John’s brother Darren advised The Irish News that the incident ‘is all linked again dwelling’, including: “We have been advised as quickly as we bought out right here that John had been killed, that he had been shot.
“John was lured right here on false data to satisfy buddies on a vacation. John was lured over right here to be shot useless… he thought he was coming over right here for a couple of days and could be dwelling after that. However John’s not coming dwelling alive.”
Darren mentioned he believes these accountable carried out the alleged killing in Spain as a result of it will be simpler for them to ‘get away with it’.
However he mentioned they’ve underestimated the quantity of assist that John has again dwelling.
Echoing John’s cousin’s sentiments final week, he additionally criticised Spanish police, claiming they’re ‘not taking the knowledge now we have given them about that significantly.’
He claimed: “After we went to the police station the opposite day, they advised us to go away. They advised us to get out and that was that.
“We’re getting nowhere with the police providers over right here, there was no searches, no canine, no rescue groups. It’s as if it hasn’t occurred.”
Darren went on to confess that John had change into concerned within the felony world however was ‘cherished unconditionally’.
He mentioned he ‘lived for his youngsters’ and ‘would have finished something for them’, describing him because the household’s ‘go-to particular person in case you have been having a foul day.’
The Alicante Guardia Civil mentioned in a press release: “The Guardia Civil in Alicante have been knowledgeable of the disappearance of a 37-year-old Irish man on 21 December, by the identify of John Hardy.
“From that second our brokers have been finishing up search efforts, and are unable to offer any data right now.”
Spanish police are recognized for maintaining their playing cards near their chests throughout any investigation.
