Latest news with #JohnGeorge
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Knifed in the legs, stripped naked then shot in the head: The Reservoir Dogs-style execution that sparked a bloody tit for tat Irish gang war on the Costa Blanca
John George's death was so gruesome it could have been a scene from a Quentin Tarantino movie: first he was stabbed in the legs so he couldn't run away then repeatedly beaten before finally being shot in the face and chest. His broken, lifeless body was then dumped in an isolated Spanish lemon grove where, even though it was December, the sun was still warm enough that when the father-of-two's body was finally discovered in early January, it was so decomposed that his devastated family were unable to have an open casket at his funeral back home in Northern Ireland. George's murder came just a few days after he left his Belfast home and flew to the Costa Blanca, a magnet for many British and Irish tourists thanks to its home from home atmosphere of pubs, fish and chip shops and curry restaurants. Watering holes such as The Randy Leprechaun, Paddy's Point and Murphy's Sports Tavern serving Guinness and other Irish beers, provide a reassuring link with the old country back home. But apart from the tourists, the area is increasingly being targeted by organised crime gangs, many of them from Ireland, both north and south. And some of their rivalries are having a terrifying impact on the Costa Blanca, particularly since the murder of John George which set off a wave of tit for tat vendettas attacks. In the last three months alone there have been two attempted murders - one local police believe directly connected to the death of Mr George - and a massive 84 kilo cocaine bust involving the arrest of A source on the Costa Blanca with knowledge of the local crime scene told MailOnline: 'There has been an increase in serious incidents involving Irish and Northern Irish in the area not only as victims, but also as alleged perpetrators. 'These events have raised concerns within the local community and suggest a worrying trend of escalating violence and a disturbing pattern, linked to individuals from Ireland, both north and south. 'While the authorities have not officially confirmed any broader connections, the nature, severity and frequency of these events – along with the individuals involved – have led many to speculate that we're seeing the signs of organised criminal structures taking root here. 'Locals have begun referring to it as an 'open secret' that elements of the Irish underworld are becoming increasingly active on the Costa Blanca. 'The word on the street here is that the Irish mafia is trying to establish a foothold in this region, using the area's anonymity, relaxed atmosphere, and the international mix of residents as cover. An ex-pat Irish gangster can blend in easily here.' But let us return to Mr George. The 37-year-old last contacted his family at their home in Twinbrook, west Belfast, on December 14, when his father, who readily admits his son was 'no angel' urged him to come home. Four days after the last phone call, in which Mr George told his mother he 'loved her' and would 'see ya soon' he was reported missing. His heartbroken father Billy George spent last Christmas with family and friends looking for his son around the Spanish neighbourhood before that horrible discovery in the lemon grove. Mr George told MailOnline: 'No one deserves to die like that. He was treated like a dog. It was horrible and all we want now is justice.' He said of his son:' He was no angel, but he was a good lad, he loved his kids and they will now grow up without their father. We told him to come back because we didn't like the crowd he was keeping but he said he would be fine. 'I think he was killed the same day we spoke with him - December 14. 'We reported him missing four days later, and I went out to Spain and spent three and a half weeks later we found him but I think his body had been moved. 'We were hearing all sorts of false information from people who were saying they wanted to help but they weren't they were hindering, and these people also knew more than they were letting on.' Mr George had spent time in Spain with a known drug dealer known as Jonny Smyth, 26, also from Northern Ireland and a Czech man called Michal Maly, a former member of the French Foreign Legion. Pictures on Smyth's social media show him living the high life in Spain, with fast cars, fast motorbikes, luxury watches and highly desirable apartments, apparently funded through a cannabis shop he ran in Benidorm. Smyth was eventually identified by Spanish police as a suspect for the murder and eventually arrested in Braga, Portugal, in March Before he was tracked down Smyth got married to his partner, Only Fans model Madison Allen, 19, in Gibraltar. Allen – who has a prolific social media profile illustrated with pictures of her mainly in bikinis – is not a suspect and is not being sought by Spanish authorities and continues to live in the country. And she has told followers as much. But what is concerning is just how they managed to marry in Gibraltar at the official residence of the governor known as The Convent, during an international manhunt when he was wanted for murder. After he was finally arrested Smyth was extradited back to Spain where he is currently in custody awaiting trial for murder. Michai Maly, 32, was picked up in the early stages of the investigation and is said to have provided false information to the family as to the whereabouts of Mr George's body before eventually tipping police off as to where he had been dumped. MailOnline visited the spot where he was found, an isolated country road in the countryside near the village of Rojales, amid lemon groves, around 45 minutes from where he was last seen. Mr George's body was found on January 7, dumped in that lemon grove which is in rural farmland a mile off the main road linking Rojales with Torrevieja. Police had been tipped off to its location by Maly and Mr George's father wants to know more about his dealings with the police. The isolated location where the body was found is close to a farm, and the land, which is popular with fly tippers, is owned by a man called Jose. Jose, who declined to give his surname such is the fear of gangland violence in the area, told MailOnline: 'The first I knew a body was there was when the police came to the house. They asked me if I had seen or heard anything, but I hadn't. 'When they showed me the location, I was shocked, I had seen blood on the road but assumed it was from an animal that had been run over. 'I walked past that spot every day and didn't smell or notice anything. I'm just so surprised - nothing like this has ever happened here. 'About a month later I met the dead man's brother. He came to see the spot and left some flowers, and I offered my condolences.' MailOnline can also reveal that security cameras, covering a small reservoir of water, point towards the road where the body was dumped but because of Spanish privacy laws they are pixelated. Police were also left empty handed and with no leads after retrieving the footage as it deletes itself after a fortnight. A few minutes away a small shrine has been made by friends and family with flowers and pictures of Mr George attached to a wire fence. The hot sun has faded the petals. A small stone has been left on the floor with the inscription that reads 'Special son. Always in my dreams. Forever in my heart.' The spot his body was found is around six miles from the apartment Mr George was staying in with Smyth at Orihuela Costa, when he arrived last December. The ground floor flat with swimming pool is owned by a British man and currently rented out to a family of Belgian holidaymakers who had no idea of what had happened there. A Dutch man who lives opposite told MailOnline: 'It's terrible what happened there. I remember the night he disappeared. 'There was a big party and there was lots of noise and fireworks, some of them were really loud and now we are thinking: 'Was that gunshots?' 'I remember the man who rented it covered with tattoos and his girlfriend as well, they were always having wild parties, every night loud noise and people coming and going. 'You don't have to be too clever to work out it was all to do with drugs. The police watched the house for a month after he disappeared, they were in a van. 'Everyone knew they were there, but I don't think anything came of it.' Police initially believed another man was involved in the murder of George and on social media, wild rumours circulated involving the brutal stabbing of Dan McMeekin, 29, another Irishman two months ago. Posts from Jonny Smyth's Instagram page advertising cannabis and poppers for sale He was slashed across the throat as he stopped to relieve himself after spending the night in a local Irish themed pub in Torrevieja and social media shows him to be a pal of Smyth and Maly and he also knew Mr George. As he stood in the dark by a small substation, he was attacked from behind with a box cutter – the pools of blood still visible on the pavement – before his attacker fled into the night. McMeekin is himself no stranger to crime, and is expected to testify in Mr George's eventual murder trial. He almost died in the attack - but was rushed to hospital where his life was saved by surgeons. Initially he refused to name his attacker but told police he knew him and a few days after the attack a 58-year-old man also from Ireland was later arrested and although his identity has not been revealed he is also said to be 'well known to police'. Mr George, 56, said: 'I'm sure Dan McMeekin knows something. I don't think he was there when my son was murdered but he's somehow connected, and someone was obviously trying to shut him up. 'There are people like McMeekin who know more than they are letting on and there's no doubt in my mind the attempt on his life was to silence him, he knew what was going to happen to John that night. 'From what I know there was some sort of argument that night between John and Smyth. 'My John was a boxer… he knew how to handle himself and he would have been able to take Smyth out. 'I think Smyth had help.' Mr George added:' All we want now is justice, I want whoever killed John to go behind bars for a long time, I don't want him out after just 12 or 13 years. 'Those involved are all scum bags, the lowest of the low, they took a loving father away from two boys aged 14 and seven and they should pay for that.' Lawyer Andrea Marin, who is representing the George family, told MailOnline: 'The investigation is closed, and the police are not looking for anyone else. 'I haven't been given access to the full files yet as there is a lot of paperwork to go through, I have to provide birth certificates for Mr George and his father, and this have to be translated and certified. 'Once all that is complete, I will have a clearer picture and can inform the family about when the trial is likely to happen, but it won't be until way after the summer. 'July and August are 'meses muertos' as we say in Spain, dead months. Everyone is away on holiday and everything is closed.' For Mr George Snr, the wounds are still raw. He said: 'It was one of John's kids' birthdays this week, 'I'd like to let the people who killed him know that. 'I had to take a card round to the house, because they wouldn't be getting one from their daddy…That was tough.'
Sunday World
10-07-2025
- Sunday World
Irishman (58) arrested for attempted murder of John George acquaintance in Spain
The victim was approached from behind while urinating next to an electrical transformer and stabbed in the neck with a box cutter A 58-year-old Irishman has been arrested in Spain for the attempted murder of another Irish national who had previously been named as having knowledge about the murder of John George. Dan McMeekin (29) was viciously attacked with a box-cutter knife in the Costa Orihuela area of the Costa Blanca last month. He had to undergo emergency surgery at Torrevieja University Hospital to save his life after he was stabbed in the neck with a box cutter while he was going to the toilet. McMeekin previously posted a video online in which he said he should have contacted the family of John George before the 37-year-old was murdered, A 58-year-old man, described as an Irish national, was arrested by the Civil Guard for attempted murder on June 30 and brought before a Spanish court this week. Spanish police have claimed the arrested man has previous convictions for 'homicide' and drug dealing. McMeekin was viciously attacked in the early hours of June 15 on a sealed-off street near a small shopping centre in La Zenia. The stabbing suspect is led away by Spanish police News in 90 Seconds - July 10th It is believed McMeekin was knifed after being approached from behind while urinating next to an electrical transformer. The attacker inflicted a deep cut on his neck with the box cutter blade. Having interviewed the victim, officers were able to identify the suspect, although he had left his home days earlier and his whereabouts were unknown. However, a police patrol from Orihuela Costa managed to locate the suspect in a local park on June 30. After confirming his identity with the support of the Pilar de la Horadada Judicial Police Team, he was arrested. According to the news site, as the suspect was not carrying any ID however, Spanish police sought the help of Irish authorities who provided a fingerprint check. This confirmed that he has a criminal record in Ireland for serious crimes, including homicide with a firearm and drug trafficking. Having been charged with attempted murder, he was brought before Orihuela Court of Instruction No 3 which ordered his provisional release with a restraining order against the victim. McMeekin, from West Belfast, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, in La Zenia, near Torrevieja. Despite local news reports stating there were 'pools of blood' found at the scene of the early morning attack, McMeekin survived the shocking incident and has been recovering in hospital. It has also been reported in the press in Spain that the authorities have revealed McMeekin told them he knew who had stabbed him but that he would not be telling them. John George and Dan McMeekin They also revealed McMeekin has a criminal record and it's well known he has a series of convictions for domestic abuse against a former partner. McMeekin, who is known to be extremely vulnerable due to substance abuse issues, became a target of social media trolls and amateur investigators after the murder of John George. McMeekin knew John George well and was in a bar in Spain where it's claimed a plan was hatched to attack the Belfast man who was later found murdered. The father of two was shot and his body left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 although it wasn't discovered for several weeks. Supporters of John George and his family believe Dan McMeekin has information relevant to the investigation. However, he has never been arrested or charged with anything. McMeekin posted a video to his Facebook page back in January where he was visibly upset and appeared to be high on drugs or drink. He was responding to wild speculation on social media and named one TikToker who he felt was not telling the truth about him and what he knew or didn't know about John George. Slurring his words, he says: 'I am doing my best to help in so many ways... I am guilty, guilty of not telling the family sooner. I am vulnerable, this is breaking me, I have a heart, I do. 'The truth will be told, what I know is fact. It's been a hard time, I have helped. There's a lot of yous who don't know about the good I have done so stop going by social media and stop jumping to conclusions. 'I know what the family is going through, please stop jumping to conclusions, I am helping.' In January Belfast lawyers acting for the family of John George named Dan McMeekin as being one of two men who was due to appear in court in Spain – not as suspects but to tell the court what they knew about the lead-up to the murder. Two weeks after John George's body was found, Belfast legal firm KRW Law said on January 31: 'We can confirm that summonses have issued for the attendance of two persons to answer enquiries in relation to the murder of Mr George. We have been in touch with the authorities in connection with this latest development. 'We understand that each person was originally due to appear at the designated Preliminary Court sitting in Torrevieja, Spain on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 9.30am but are now expected to appear on Friday, January 31 in the same court. 'We are advised the two specified persons are identified as Michael Maly and Daniel Anthony McMeekin. 'The family now face an anxious wait to learn what each individual has to say. They are calling upon them to take what they say as 'a final chance to come clean' on the lead-up to and the circumstances surrounding their son's murder before Christmas last year...' Czech national Michael Maly was later arrested and appeared in court as a murder suspect but was released on bail and has yet to be charged with any offence. Jonny Smyth and Madison Allen Meanwhile 27-year-old Newtownabbey man Jonny Smyth was eventually arrested in Portugal having gone on the run before being extradited back to Spain where he has also been named as a suspect and held on remand in prison – but like Maly has not yet been charged with any offence. Sources say Jonny Smyth had helped Dan McMeekin after finding him in Spain in a bad way on drugs. But Smyth turned on Dan and gave him a beating after it's claimed he found Dan doing cocaine in the apartment Smyth shared with his partner – now wife – Madison. McMeekin has been in jail back home in Northern Ireland several times and was convicted of a number of nasty domestic abuse offences.
Sunday World
30-06-2025
- Sunday World
OnlyFans wife of John George murder suspect under death threat
Teen falsely accused of covering up John George killing tells police of plot Madison Smyth, wife of Jonny Smyth who is in jail in Spain in connection with the murder of John George A young woman who has been falsely accused of covering up the murder of John George has called in the cops after she was told she would be murdered. Madison Smyth – the wife of Newtownabbey man Jonny Smyth who's currently being held in Spain in connection with the December murder – has been made aware of a sick plot where she would be murdered and her death would be made to look like suicide. Friends of the 19-year-old, who is living in Alicante while her husband awaits a decision from the Spanish judicial system as to whether he'll be charged or not, say she was made aware of a plot where her would-be killers were tracking her movements by her mobile phone. She's also been the subject of shocking false claims this week by online trolls including a completely untrue allegation that she raped Belfast man Dan McMeekin. Madison Allen Last week we revealed how McMeekin was stabbed and seriously injured in Spain months after he was accused of having been aware that the 37-year-old father-of-two was going to be attacked but failed to inform him or the family. While McMeekin was stabbed, he was not subjected to any sex attack at any point. In the aftermath of that story sick messages and threats were posted to Madison on social media. In one twisted message, an anonymous account claimed Madison had already been 'got'. And they went on to state: 'Give it a few hours that wee girl that tracks n clones phones got her ya heard it here first.' And it continues: 'Keep watching it will be made to look like suicide and let her lies die with her karma is the biggest bitch and she deserves what she's heyyinf (sic)'. Dan McMeekin was stabbed two weeks ago on the Costa Blanca And an account later posts a shocking and completely unfounded claim that Madison 'raped' Dan McMeekin. The account writes: 'After John was Murdered Dan Mc was beat and how little miss daddy issues removed his trousers and boxers and RAPED him with a kitchen roll holder? It's all on video and as the saying goes what doesn't come out in the wash comes out in the rinse.' Last night the PSNI confirmed they were investigating the online abuse following a complaint. A spokesperson said: 'Police in Antrim received a report of malicious communications on Monday, 23rd June. Enquiries are on-going.' A friend of Madison's told the Sunday World: 'Madison is devastated with this latest nonsense and has taken the threat seriously and changed her phone and called the cops. Madison is allowed conjugal visits with husband Jonny Smyth 'They have also posted online that she raped Dan McMeekin, It's completely sick. Madison was a friend of Dan's and tried to help him when he was struggling. 'Both her and Jonny's mum Dawn have had nothing but abuse and lies about how they were somehow involved in covering up John George's murder. 'The Spanish police have made it clear they aren't interested in either of them as having anything to do with the murder of John George. 'Madison is just gutted that this keeps going on and just wants the truth to come out so people can see. 'The allegations are bizarre – from Dawn cleaning up a murder scene and laundering criminal money to Madison raping Dan. It's complete madness. John George was murdered in Spain 'They seem to want to keep it all in the public eye but Dawn and Madison have never been suspects in what happened to John George. 'It's got nothing to do with them. Jonny and Michael Maly (the other suspect) are grown men so whatever happened let the court sort it out.' As revealed here previously, Dawn Smyth and members of Madison's family have issued legal proceedings against a number of people accusing them of harassment. Dawn's house has been targeted in an arson attack and a car was also set alight at her Ballyclare home, while pipe bombs were left near her home and near a property connected to Madison Smyth's family. Two weeks ago Dan McMeekin, who has battled drug and alcohol addiction for years, was stabbed in a late night attack on the Spanish coast. The 29-year-old – who has admitted online he should have contacted the family of John George before the 37-year-old was murdered – was viciously attacked with a knife in the Costa Orihuela area of the Costa Blanca. Madison Smyth made tens of thousands of pounds from her OnlyFans account, where subscribers pay £12 a month for uncensored adult content According to reports in Spain McMeekin, a self-confessed drug addict, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, June 15 in La Zenia, near Torrevieja. Despite local news reports stating there were 'pools of blood' found at the scene of the early morning attack, he survived the shocking incident and was recovering in hospital. It has also been reported in press in Spain that the authorities have revealed McMeekin told them he knew who had stabbed him but that he would not be telling them. They also revealed McMeekin has a criminal record and it's well known he has a series of convictions for domestic abuse against a former partner. In January Belfast lawyers acting for the family of John George named Dan McMeekin as being one of two men who was due to appear in court in Spain – not as suspects but to tell the court what they knew about the lead-up to the murder. Madison Smyth, wife of Jonny Smyth who is in jail in Spain in connection with the murder of John George McMeekin, who is known to be extremely vulnerable due to substance abuse issues, became a target of social media trolls and amateur investigators after the murder of John George. He knew John George well and was in a bar in Spain where it's claimed a plan was hatched to attack the Belfast man who was later found murdered. The father of two was shot and his body was left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 but his body wasn't discovered for several weeks. Supporters of John George and his family believe McMeekin has information relevant to the investigation. However, he has never been arrested or charged with anything. Madison Smyth, wife of Jonny Smyth who is in jail in Spain in connection with the murder of John George Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 30th Last month it emerged Madison Smyth had got married to her caged partner Jonny Smyth in a secret wedding in Gibraltar. Jonny and Madison, who used to make tens of thousands of pounds from streaming their steamy sessions on OnlyFans, are entitled to conjugal visits which last three hours. Madison Smyth told the Sunday World they are effectively provided with a hotel room for private use twice a month.
Sunday World
22-06-2025
- Sunday World
Irishman stabbed in Spain knew John George and ‘had info on murder'
Belfast man told Spanish cops he knows attacker's identity but refuses to name them An Irishman stabbed in Spain last Sunday was previously named as having knowledge about the murder of John George, we can reveal. Dan McMeekin (29) was viciously attacked with a knife in the Costa Orihuela area of the Costa Blanca. He had previously admitted online he should have contacted the family of John George before the 37-year-old was murdered. According to reports in Spain McMeekin, a self-confessed drug addict from the outskirts of west Belfast, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday in La Zenia, near Torrevieja. Despite local news reports stating there were 'pools of blood' found at the scene of the early morning attack, he survived the shocking incident and has been recovering in hospital. It has also been reported in the press in Spain that the authorities have revealed McMeekin told them he knew who had stabbed him but that he would not be telling them. They also revealed McMeekin has a criminal record and it's well known he has a series of convictions for domestic abuse against a former partner. Dan McMeekin in Spain McMeekin, who is known to be extremely vulnerable due to substance abuse issues, became a target of social media trolls and amateur investigators after the murder of John George. McMeekin knew John George well and was in a bar in Spain where it's claimed a plan was hatched to attack the Belfast man who was later found murdered. The father of two was shot and his body was left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 but his body wasn't discovered for several weeks. Supporters of John George and his family believe Dan McMeekin has information relevant to the investigation. However, he has never been arrested or charged with anything. In January Belfast lawyers acting for the family of John George named Dan McMeekin as being one of two men who was due to appear in court in Spain – not as suspects but to tell the court what they knew about the lead-up to the murder. Dan McMeekin is recovering in hospital after last Sunday's knife attack in Torrevieja Two weeks after John George's body was found, Belfast legal firm KRW Law said on January 31: 'We can confirm that summonses have issued for the attendance of two persons to answer enquiries in relation to the murder of Mr George. We have been in touch with the authorities in connection with this latest development. 'We understand that each person was originally due to appear at the designated Preliminary Court sitting in Torrevieja, Spain on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 930am but are now expected to appear on Friday 31 January 2025 in the same court. 'We are advised the two specified persons are identified as Michael Maly and Daniel Anthony McMeekin. 'The family now face an anxious wait to learn what each individual has to say. They are calling upon them to take what they say is 'a final chance to come clean' on the lead-up to and the circumstances surrounding their son's murder before Christmas last year...' The family of John George arrive back in Belfast Czech national Michael Maly was later arrested and appeared in court as a murder suspect but was released on bail and has yet to be charged with any offence. Meanwhile 27-year-old Newtownabbey man Jonny Smyth was eventually arrested in Portugal having gone on the run before being extradited back to Spain where he has also been named as a suspect and held on remand in prison – but like Maly has not yet been charged with any offence. Sources say Jonny Smyth had helped Dan McMeekin after finding him in Spain in a bad way on drugs. Jonny Smyth But Smyth turned on Dan and gave him a beating after it's claimed he found Dan doing cocaine in the apartment Smyth shared with his partner – now wife – Madison. McMeekin has been in jail back home in Northern Ireland several times and was convicted of a number of nasty domestic abuse offences. He was described as a drug addict during several appearances in various courtrooms where it emerged he had attacked the same partner a number of times and that the pair were both vulnerable and suffered from substance and alcohol abuse issues. We can also reveal that McMeekin's images have been plastered all over social media in Spain where it's claimed he is a suspect in a number of burglaries. Pictures appearing to show him inside business premises late at night were shared widely. Those claiming he is a suspect have pointed to his very distinctive tattoo he has on his left hand which is clearly visible. McMeekin posted a video to his Facebook page back in January where he was visibly upset and appeared to be high on drugs or drink. He was responding to wild speculation on social media and named one TikToker who he felt was not telling the truth about him and what he knew or didn't know about John George. Slurring his words, he says: 'I am doing my best to help in so many ways... I am guilty, guilty of not telling the family sooner. I am vulnerable, this is breaking me, I have a heart, I do. 'The truth will be told, what I know is fact. It's been a hard time, I have helped. There's a lot of yous who don't know about the good I have done so stop going by social media and stop jumping to conclusions. 'I know what the family is going through, please stop jumping to conclusions, I am helping.' Murder victim John George The attack on Dan McMeekin comes during a spate of violence on the Spanish coast after a number of murders and shootings of British and Irish ex-pats various parts of the Spanish coast. The attack on him unfolded at around 1.30am on Calle Jalon, a shadowy street running parallel to the Las Estacas Rambla, just a stone's throw from the bustling La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre. It is very near to where another Irishman was shot in the head some weeks ago in what police suspected was a settling of scores between rival gangs. There is no suggestion yet that the two cases are linked. Dan McMeekin was found by local police bleeding heavily, having been stabbed in the street. Officers administered first aid at the scene before paramedics rushed him to Torrevieja Hospital, where he remained under care. John George and Dan McMeekin News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd The Sunday World has reached out to McMeekin but has not had a response. It's not clear if he has been released from hospital. The Guardia Civil's Judicial Police have opened an investigation, and the area around the attack remained cordoned off into Sunday morning, with blood stains still visible on the ground. This is the second serious incident involving Irish nationals in La Zenia in recent days, prompting unease among locals and authorities alike. In May, a 21-year-old Irishman was shot and seriously wounded nearby. That attack led to the arrest of two fellow Irishmen, aged 27 and 45. One, accused of pulling the trigger, is now behind bars without bail; the other was released with conditions, including a travel ban, as an alleged accomplice.
Sunday World
22-06-2025
- Sunday World
Irishman stabbed in Spain was John George pal and ‘had info on murder'
Belfast man told Spanish cops he knows attacker's identity but refuses to name them An Irishman stabbed in Spain last Sunday was previously named as having knowledge about the murder of John George, we can reveal. Dan McMeekin (29) was viciously attacked with a knife in the Costa Orihuela area of the Costa Blanca. He had previously admitted online he should have contacted the family of John George before the 37-year-old was murdered. According to reports in Spain McMeekin, a self-confessed drug addict from the outskirts of west Belfast, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday in La Zenia, near Torrevieja. Despite local news reports stating there were 'pools of blood' found at the scene of the early morning attack, he survived the shocking incident and has been recovering in hospital. It has also been reported in the press in Spain that the authorities have revealed McMeekin told them he knew who had stabbed him but that he would not be telling them. They also revealed McMeekin has a criminal record and it's well known he has a series of convictions for domestic abuse against a former partner. Dan McMeekin in Spain McMeekin, who is known to be extremely vulnerable due to substance abuse issues, became a target of social media trolls and amateur investigators after the murder of John George. McMeekin knew John George well and was in a bar in Spain where it's claimed a plan was hatched to attack the Belfast man who was later found murdered. The father of two was shot and his body was left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 but his body wasn't discovered for several weeks. Supporters of John George and his family believe Dan McMeekin has information relevant to the investigation. However, he has never been arrested or charged with anything. In January Belfast lawyers acting for the family of John George named Dan McMeekin as being one of two men who was due to appear in court in Spain – not as suspects but to tell the court what they knew about the lead-up to the murder. Dan McMeekin is recovering in hospital after last Sunday's knife attack in Torrevieja Two weeks after John George's body was found, Belfast legal firm KRW Law said on January 31: 'We can confirm that summonses have issued for the attendance of two persons to answer enquiries in relation to the murder of Mr George. We have been in touch with the authorities in connection with this latest development. 'We understand that each person was originally due to appear at the designated Preliminary Court sitting in Torrevieja, Spain on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 930am but are now expected to appear on Friday 31 January 2025 in the same court. 'We are advised the two specified persons are identified as Michael Maly and Daniel Anthony McMeekin. 'The family now face an anxious wait to learn what each individual has to say. They are calling upon them to take what they say is 'a final chance to come clean' on the lead-up to and the circumstances surrounding their son's murder before Christmas last year...' The family of John George arrive back in Belfast Czech national Michael Maly was later arrested and appeared in court as a murder suspect but was released on bail and has yet to be charged with any offence. Meanwhile 27-year-old Newtownabbey man Jonny Smyth was eventually arrested in Portugal having gone on the run before being extradited back to Spain where he has also been named as a suspect and held on remand in prison – but like Maly has not yet been charged with any offence. Sources say Jonny Smyth had helped Dan McMeekin after finding him in Spain in a bad way on drugs. Jonny Smyth But Smyth turned on Dan and gave him a beating after it's claimed he found Dan doing cocaine in the apartment Smyth shared with his partner – now wife – Madison. McMeekin has been in jail back home in Northern Ireland several times and was convicted of a number of nasty domestic abuse offences. He was described as a drug addict during several appearances in various courtrooms where it emerged he had attacked the same partner a number of times and that the pair were both vulnerable and suffered from substance and alcohol abuse issues. We can also reveal that McMeekin's images have been plastered all over social media in Spain where it's claimed he is a suspect in a number of burglaries. Pictures appearing to show him inside business premises late at night were shared widely. Those claiming he is a suspect have pointed to his very distinctive tattoo he has on his left hand which is clearly visible. McMeekin posted a video to his Facebook page back in January where he was visibly upset and appeared to be high on drugs or drink. He was responding to wild speculation on social media and named one TikToker who he felt was not telling the truth about him and what he knew or didn't know about John George. Slurring his words, he says: 'I am doing my best to help in so many ways... I am guilty, guilty of not telling the family sooner. I am vulnerable, this is breaking me, I have a heart, I do. 'The truth will be told, what I know is fact. It's been a hard time, I have helped. There's a lot of yous who don't know about the good I have done so stop going by social media and stop jumping to conclusions. 'I know what the family is going through, please stop jumping to conclusions, I am helping.' Murder victim John George The attack on Dan McMeekin comes during a spate of violence on the Spanish coast after a number of murders and shootings of British and Irish ex-pats various parts of the Spanish coast. The attack on him unfolded at around 1.30am on Calle Jalon, a shadowy street running parallel to the Las Estacas Rambla, just a stone's throw from the bustling La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre. It is very near to where another Irishman was shot in the head some weeks ago in what police suspected was a settling of scores between rival gangs. There is no suggestion yet that the two cases are linked. Dan McMeekin was found by local police bleeding heavily, having been stabbed in the street. Officers administered first aid at the scene before paramedics rushed him to Torrevieja Hospital, where he remained under care. John George and Dan McMeekin News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd The Sunday World has reached out to McMeekin but has not had a response. It's not clear if he has been released from hospital. The Guardia Civil's Judicial Police have opened an investigation, and the area around the attack remained cordoned off into Sunday morning, with blood stains still visible on the ground. This is the second serious incident involving Irish nationals in La Zenia in recent days, prompting unease among locals and authorities alike. In May, a 21-year-old Irishman was shot and seriously wounded nearby. That attack led to the arrest of two fellow Irishmen, aged 27 and 45. One, accused of pulling the trigger, is now behind bars without bail; the other was released with conditions, including a travel ban, as an alleged accomplice.
