Latest news with #Jillian
STV News
6 hours ago
- General
- STV News
Search for Scot who vanished on stag do in Portugal focuses on cliff area
The family of a Scottish man who disappeared on a stag do in Portugal say the search to find him has focused on a cliff area, with drones and dogs deployed. Greg Monks was last seen leaving the main strip in the resort town of Albufeira in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The 38-year-old from Glasgow had arrived on the evening of Tuesday, May 27 as part of a stag do and was on a night out with friends. The groomsman told the group he was leaving around 2am to return to his accommodation. Facebook Greg Monks was last seen in the popular resort of Albufeira on Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning leaving the strip. Members of his family have now flown out to aid the search, and have been told by police there have been no sightings of him at hospitals in the region. He was last seen on a CCTV image, which the family say they haven't seen, but the sighting was confirmed by a friend of Greg's. His sister, Jillian Monks, told STV News: 'The first CCTV sighting that put him in the area a few days ago was confirmed to be him. 'We weren't there yet – but since the police haven't shared any new images with us.' Jillian said the local National Republican Guard (GNR) police force has deployed sniffer dogs in the search for Greg, which is focused on a rocky cliff area. Police and locals are scouring the Cerro da Aguia area, which is dense with woodland. The family say the police have been doing all they can, but are dealing with a lack of resources. Jillian added: 'We need more manpower. The place where he has gone missing has a cliff. 'The people of Portugal have been out searching but they're having trouble accessing some areas because they're so dense. 'Drones have been out but seeing those images has been very difficult.' The family have also had to deal with misinformation after a Facebook group was set up to help find Greg, with one potential sighting at a hospital proven to be false. 'Some of the stories that people have put out there are really difficult,' she added. 'A man a few days ago told me he was talking to Greg in the hospital, that he told him his name, but I think he just made it up. 'It just gives you hope and then it's ripped away again.' However, Jillian says the help from locals aiding the search has been amazing on the whole. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Portugal and are in contact with the local authorities'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Member of Wicklow writers' group gains national recognition in RTÉ competition
Selected from hundreds of submissions to feature on the show, which aims to bring bold, new voices to a wide radio audience, Jillian's self-narrated piece explores the theme of digital identity and twin technology. An author and journalist, Jillian joined the Arklow Writers Group in 2024 shortly after moving to the town. The group, which meets regularly at Arklow Library under the guidance of local literary legend Noline Foley, has become a vital space for creativity, encouragement, and shared craft. 'I will be thrilled to hear my story on the radio,' Jillian said. 'But honestly, it wouldn't have existed without the support and inspiration of the Arklow Writers Group. There is something really powerful about writing alongside others who are also pouring their hearts into their work.' The Arklow Writers Group has grown into a vibrant community of emerging and established writers, currently preparing to publish their second anthology of fiction, stories, and poetry this summer. The collection is sponsored by the Arklow Bay Hotel, Hudson Concrete and the Arklow Library and reflects the range and talent of writers living in and around the town. 'Our aim has always been to support local writers in finding their voice and reaching wider audiences,' said Noline, who has been leader of the group since its formation. 'Jillian's recognition by RTÉ is a proud moment for all of us. It shows that talent nurtured at a local level can truly shine nationally.' For a group rooted in a small coastal town, the Arklow Writers Group continues to punch well above its weight, nurturing talent and giving voice to a growing literary scene in Wicklow and beyond. With new national recognition and another publication on the way, their momentum shows no sign of slowing. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more In addition to publishing anthologies together, many of the Arklow Writers Group have enjoyed individual successes. Mary Dillon has published two books, with David Kenny recently winning a prize at the Carlow College Student Literary Awards. He has had work published in various journals and is also working on a novella, a short story collection, and a poetry pamphlet. Peter Pienaar has written four books and is busy with two novellas, while Pete Malone has no less than three books in progress, and Elaine Byrne has written one children's book and plans a further trilogy. Miriam Murphy enjoys short stories and splendid titles, including 'Broken Crayons still colour', while Jillian has self-published several books, and her most recent novella is being published by Noline is the recipient of Irish Writers Centre mentorship and was shortlisted for the Irish Times short story competition, as well as being the six-word story queen in the Independent.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Family of Scot missing in Portugal have never 'known pain like it' during frantic search
EXCLUSIVE: Greg Monks' family have opened up about their fears over their missing loved one. The family of a missing Glasgow man who vanished whilst on a stag do in Portugal say they have neve "known pain like it," as they continue their frantic search for him. Greg Monks, from Cambuslang, vanished hours after arriving with his mates in Albufeira in the sunshine destination of the Algarve on Tuesday evening. Greg, who is the groomsmen for his pal, sparked a major search when he disappeared after leaving the popular bustling strip to head back to the group's apartments. However no one has seen or heard from the 38-year-old since with his family, including his worried parents, currently out in Albufeira desperately seeking answers to his whereabouts. Portuguese search cops have told relatives he was last sighted on CCTV around four miles from his apartment and the strip in a quieter residential area of Cerro de Águia. Loved ones are now trying to piece together Greg's last movements as they step up the hunt to find him. Sister Jillian Monks says the exhausted search-party, including Greg's mum, dad, cousin and girlfriend Nicole, are numb as they scour the Algarve. Jillian, 36, who has had to remain in Glasgow with her two young children says she is doing everything she can to share appeals and reach out to locals on social media. Speaking with the Record, she said: "This is every family's worst nightmare. "We have never known pain like this. "It is just horrendous. We are all trying to keep positive but we know how out of character this is for Greg. We know if he could contact us he would. "We're all just numb and we're praying he's safe. We are all worried sick for him." Jillian has told how the stag party quickly got changed after checking into the Novochoro Apartments before heading back out. But there are no fresh images of Greg from the night he vanished. The group of lads were understood to be in King's Cross karaoke bar in Albufeira's nightlife hub before Greg became separated from the group. Jillian added: "We don't have any pictures of what Greg was wearing but we think he might have got changed from what he had travelling to Portugal. "We're trying to piece everything together. "His girlfriend, Nicole, is over in Albufeira, she checked through his case to see what was missing. We think he might have had a navy blue Nike shorts and top set on. "She's absolutely devastated right now, she just wants him back." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Jillian says gutted mates were left "devastated and shocked" when they realised that Greg hadn't returned to the apartments. They immediately contacted police after he was missing for 12 hours. She said: "The group had only been there for a matter of hours. They checked in and were only in the apartment for 20 minutes before heading out again. "They are all devastated and shocked by what has happened. They spent the rest of the time there searching for him and trying to help. "They have all returned home today, Greg should be back home with them." Jillian says the family are in constant contact with local police who have altered the national police force in Portugal. But she says the family have yet to see proof that Greg was spotted in Cerro de Águia and are asking police to show them the CCTV clips that has caused the search to focus on the hilly area. Jillian added: "Police have had drones out and search teams going over Cerro de Águia. "But it is really rocky terrain it's very quiet and residential. We don't know why he has went there or how he has ended up there. "Until we see proof we don't know what to believe." As part of the families search they are asking residents of Cerro de Águia to check any private CCTV or ring doorbell footage. "We just hope somebody will have seen him," Jillian added. "Any information or help from locals is crucial." A fundraiser has raised almost £15,000 to help keep the search for Greg going. You can donate to the fundraiser here. The Record has contacted The GNR police force and Polícia Judiciária for comment.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Mystery deepens for stag do Scot who vanished in Portugal as sister reveals ‘accident' fears
His return flight to Scotland leave the party resort in hours HOLIDAY HORROR Mystery deepens for stag do Scot who vanished in Portugal as sister reveals 'accident' fears Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE family of a Scots holidaymaker who vanished on the Algarve four days ago have launched a desperate plea to find him. Greg Monks's loved ones are asking locals and UK expats in the area where he is last believed to have been seen to check their home and doorbell cameras for sightings. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The mechanic from Glasgow vanished from a party hotspot in Portugal Credit: Getty 2 Greg Monks' family has launched an appeal to locate his whereabouts Credit: Solarpix His worried parents and his girlfriend Nicole Ashleigh Kelso have travelled to the party resort of Albufeira to help search for the 38-year-old from Glasgow amid growing fears he got lost on his first night out and could have suffered an accident. The plant mechanic went missing in the early hours of Wednesday morning after telling friends he had flown to Portugal with hours earlier for a five-day stag do that he was heading back to his holiday apartment on his own during their first night out after several hours of partying and drinking. His return flight to Scotland leaves this afternoon. Greg's sister Jillian revealed yesterday police had placed her brother around Cerro da Aguia the night he vanished. The hill with residential properties is more than an hour's walk west of the Albufeira Strip where Greg is thought to have left his pals, whereas the Novochoro Apartments he had checked into on Tuesday night is a 30-minute walk north. Thanking British holidaymakers and expats as well as locals for their massive support so far, Jillian said in a new Facebook post late last night. She said: 'Thank you for all information and shares and we truly appreciate it. 'There have still been no sightings or no updates at present. "As previously stated this is so unlike Greg and we are truly desperate for answers. 'I am now seeking help from residents of the Cerro da Aguia area to please check any home cameras or doorbell footage around between 2am and 5am on Wednesday as police believe he was in the area around this time. 'Please share this if you know anyone in the area. "Asking for people that live in Cerro da Aguia that have cameras that cover the street or parts of the street to send me a message with their name and phone number. Thank you for all the support.' Jillian updated the search information as a GoFundMe appeal set up on behalf of the family to help fund the hunt for Greg reached more than POUNDS 12,500 early this morning. Organiser Gillian McCallum wrote on behalf of the 38-year-old's loved ones yesterday: 'Our son Greg Monks went to Portugal for a stag do on Tuesday May 27 and on the first night back out there he never returned to his hotel and has now been missing for three days. 'We are desperately seeking Greg's safe return and need your help. 'There are professional search teams out looking for Greg and the family have all flown out to try to help find him but don't know how long their stay will be. 'They are doing everything they can. 'Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in our efforts to bring Greg home. Thank you for your support and prayers.' Greg's sister said yesterday she was worried he had got lost in unfamiliar surroundings and had an accident after going out drinking with his stag do pals. Hospitals have been checked without success but police are not thought to have yet carried out an exhaustive search of medical centres which have involved officers going round wards to check out patients who were admitted without proper identification. Jillian described her brother yesterday as a 'really hard worker' in his job and a 'quiet guy' whose disappearance immediately 'threw up a red flag.' She also revealed Greg has a Thor-type Viking unfinished tattoo at the top of his right arm which would be visible if he was wearing a vest top or had no shirt on.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Fears grow for British tourist who vanished on first night of stag do in Algarve
Fears are growing for a British tourist who has been missing for four days after a night out in Portugal's Algarve. Greg Monks, 38, had travelled to the party resort of Albufeira for a five-day stag do. His parents and his girlfriend Nicole Ashleigh Kelso have now flown to the nearby Faro Airport to search for the Glaswegian as his disappearance is seen as 'completely out of character.' His sister Jillian sounded the alert on Friday, saying that he had last been seen in the early hours of Wednesday on his way back to the apartment he was staying in. She wrote on an Albufeira website for UK expats: 'My brother has not been since Tuesday evening. 'If you are currently there and have any information place contact me with any info.' Jillian revealed that police had placed her brother around Cerro da Aguia, a ridge overlooking the coastline, on the outskirts of Albufeira, on the night he vanished. The hill with residential properties is more than an hour's walk west of the Albufeira Strip where Greg is thought to have left his friends, whereas the Novochoro Apartments he had checked into on Tuesday night is a 30-minute walk north. Responding to the wave of support from British holidaymakers and expats as well as locals, Jillian said in a new Facebook post late last night: 'Hi all. Thank you for all information and shares and we truly appreciate it. There have still been no sightings or no updates at present. More Trending 'As previously stated, this is so unlike Greg and we are truly desperate for answers. 'I am now seeking help from residents of the Cerro da Aguia area to please check any home cameras or doorbell footage around between 2am and 5am on Wednesday as police believe he was in the area around this time. 'Please share this if you know anyone in the area. Asking for people that live in Cerro da Aguia that have cameras that cover the street or parts of the street to send me a message with their name and phone number.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Stag do marched off easyJet flight for abusing crew, vaping and drinking too much MORE: British man who vanished nearly a month ago in Amsterdam has been found MORE: Urgent search for British man, 24, missing in Spain after his van is found abandoned
