Search efforts are entering their third week for a Belfast man who is currently missing in Spain.
John Hardy, also known as John George, last contacted his family on December 14, when he was driving from Alicante to Benidorm.
Mr Hardy's father, Billy George, who is visiting Spain, said he believed his son was dead.
On Friday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued a new appeal for members of the public to share information as they assist Spanish police in their investigation.
It comes as a search and rescue team from Northern Ireland, which has been in Spain since New Year's Day, has completed its search.
K9 Search and Rescue NI, who have been in Spain since New Year's Day, are due to fly back home on Sunday. [K9 Search & Rescue NI]
On Saturday evening, K9 Search and Rescue NI, an all-volunteer canine search and rescue team, said its search was “coming to an end, at this time, unfortunately no results have been found for missing Belfast man John George”.
𝐩𝐔𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐭𝐞, 𝐒𝐩𝐧. Our team's search efforts are ending, at the moment, unfortunately there are no results…
Posted by K9 Search & Rescue NI on Saturday, January 4, 2025
Ryan Gray is the leader of the K9 Search and Rescue NI team who have been helping local people in their efforts to find Mr Hardy.
Mr Gray says it is the first time they have dealt with a missing person outside the UK.
He said: “We have searched for missing people in England and Scotland, but in terms of searching for a missing person in Northern Ireland abroad, this is the first time.”
Mr Gray told BBC News NI on Saturday night that the search had “been very fruitful”.
“We've covered very large areas and the challenges that come with that…there are all different types of areas, forested areas, urban areas and water.
“But unfortunately we didn't find anything about John.”
He added that the family, who have asked for the group's help, are in Spain with “many of John's friends” and are “still looking for him”.
“They will definitely continue to search for John.”
He said the team would remain “very close” to John's family and added the team “doesn't want to leave”.
“We left here to find John and we will…we will come back if the family asks us to come back.”
'Great places to include'
There are seven team members and a sniffer dog who are helping with the search.
Earlier on Saturday Mr Gray said the weather was “hot, about 17 or 18 degrees” and although the team was able to search “very large areas”.
Mr Gray pointed out that problems could arise in terms of logistics in an effort like this, he said “a couple of guys had to ask for a break” and that “to get our dog out here we had to use a Spanish airline, which involves a few stops along the way, but we are always ready”.
Police complaint
On Friday, a public portal was opened to receive information about Mr George's disappearance.
The PSNI said it was “liaising closely with the family of the missing man and other law enforcement agencies”.
In addition, they said that communications officers have been appointed to support the family at this time.
“Although the investigation must be carried out by the Spanish police, the Northern Ireland Police Service is offering assistance to the Spanish police and will assist with any local inquiries as requested,” a PSNI spokesman said.
Police have asked anyone who they believe may have information, which could help the Spanish investigative team, to contact them.
Any images or videos, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the PSNI via the Major Incident Public Portal, and that information will be passed on to the Spanish Police.
The PSNI does not have powers to handle investigations in Spain and assistance is available in Northern Ireland at this time.
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