{"id":40252,"date":"2025-01-04T16:36:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T21:36:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/search-efforts-continue-for-missing-belfast-man\/04\/01\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-01-04T16:36:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T21:36:47","slug":"search-efforts-continue-for-missing-belfast-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/search-efforts-continue-for-missing-belfast-man\/04\/01\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Search efforts continue for missing Belfast man"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Search efforts enter their third week to find a Belfast man who is currently missing in Spain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">John Hardy, also known as John George, was last in touch with his family on 14 December, when he drove from Alicante to Benidorm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Mr Hardy&#8217;s father Billy George, who has travelled to Spain, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c20w27wy4qno?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:said he believes his son is dead.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">said he believes his son is dead.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">On Friday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued a fresh appeal for members of the public to share information as they assist Spanish police with the investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">It comes as a search and rescue team from Northern Ireland, that has been in Spain since New Years&#8217; Day, is ending its search.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>K9 Search and Rescue NI, who have been in Spain since New Years&#8217; Day, have to fly back home on Sunday [K9 Search &amp; Rescue NI]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">On Saturday evening <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/aboutthebbc\/northernireland\/appeals\/radio\/k9?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:K9 Search and Rescue NI;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">K9 Search and Rescue NI<\/a>, an all-volunteer canine search and rescue team, posted on Facebook that its search was &#8220;coming to an end, for now, with unfortunately no results in locating missing Belfast man John George&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The team said &#8220;large areas were covered&#8221; in the search and the team will remain in &#8220;close contact&#8221; with John&#8217;s family and thanked them and the police in Alicante for their support.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"col-body mb-4 border-l-2 pl-5 italic text-battleship dark:text-bob\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\ud835\udc14\ud835\udc29\ud835\udc1d\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc1e \ud835\udc1f\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc26 \ud835\udc00\ud835\udc25\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc1c\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc1e, \ud835\udc12\ud835\udc29\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc27. Search efforts for our team are coming to an end, for now, with unfortunately no results&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/K9SARNI\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:K9 Search &amp; Rescue NI;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">K9 Search &amp; Rescue NI<\/a> on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/graph.facebook.com\/100063825811695\/posts\/1075280164609501\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Saturday, January 4, 2025;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Saturday, January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Ryan Gray is the team leader of the volunteer team who have been helping locals with the efforts to find Mr Hardy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Mr Gray says this is the first time they have had to deal with a missing person outside of the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">He said: &#8220;We&#8217;ve searched for people missing in England and Scotland before, but in terms of searching for a person missing from Northern Ireland abroad, this is the first time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Mr Gray told BBC News NI that Mr George&#8217;s family &#8220;reached out to us, they asked us to come and help and be accepted and now we&#8217;re here doing the best we can&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"col-body mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">&#8216;Fairly large areas to cover&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">There are seven team members and a victim recovery dog assisting the search.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">&#8220;We&#8217;re out here searching different areas, its hot, about 17 or 18 degrees, although the guys are doing well, the dogs are fantastic and we&#8217;re covering fairly large areas,&#8221; Mr Gray said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Mr Gray mentioned that issues can crop up regarding logistics to an effort like this, he said that &#8220;a couple of guys had to ask for leave&#8221; and that &#8220;to get our dog out here we had to use a Spanish airline, which involved a few stops along the way, but we&#8217;re always ready&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"col-body mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Police appeal<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Three individuals have their back to the camera. They all have on Navy overalls and one of them holds a golden Labrador on a lead. To their left is a blue river. To their right is green shrubs. \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/YzvSsuyFIB77zWkCB5CTCA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/ebdad4037c5fa83a0f59d5933106fc3d\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>[K9 Search &amp; Rescue NI]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">On Friday, a public portal opened for information in relation to Mr George&#8217;s disappearance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The PSNI has said it is &#8220;liaising closely with the missing man&#8217;s family and other law enforcement agencies&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Additionally, they said liaison officers have been appointed to provide support to the family at this time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">&#8220;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,&#8221; a PSNI spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Police have asked for anyone who believes they may have information, which could assist the Spanish investigation team, to contact them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Any photographs or footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the PSNI through <a href=\"https:\/\/mipp.police.uk\/operation\/PSNI24T24-PO1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:the Major Incident Public Portal;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">the Major Incident Public Portal<\/a>, and that information will be forwarded to Spanish Police.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The PSNI has no jurisdiction over the investigation in Spain and assistance is confined to Northern Ireland at this time.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\"\/>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\"\/><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/search-efforts-continue-missing-belfast-202312235.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Search efforts enter their third week to find a Belfast man who is currently missing in Spain. John Hardy, also known as<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/search-efforts-continue-for-missing-belfast-man\/04\/01\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40252"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40252"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40252\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}