Hunt goes on for missing man

Galgorm woman, Alison Pollock, told The Ballymena Times that she feels her brother, 35-year-old Denver Mitchell, may be too scared to go to a police station or even to contact a family member after disappearing from Holywell, Antrim, a fortnight ago.

"I would doubt if he would go to the police and maybe he feels he can't come home but we're worried sick because he needs his medication," said Alison.

"We just want him to come home, to get in touch with any member of the family".

Denver, who is a vulnerable person and in need of medical assistance was last seen on Steeple Road in the Holywell area of Antrim on Monday, February 22.

He is described as around 5' 8" in height, of an average build with brown hair and brown eyes and an unshaven appearance.

The last time Denver was seen he was wearing a grey waist length zip-up jacket with JJ62 in white lettering on the front, top and jeans.

Although the grounds of Holywell Hospital and its environs have already been subjected to a thorough search by police, Alison and some 40-50 relatives and friends mounted their own search party on Sunday and combed not only the grounds of Holywell but the surrounding roads and land, calling at houses in case any residents had spotted Denver since his disappearance.

"We had a brilliant turnout," said Alison, " and I want to thank everyone who was there from about midday to around 6pm".

Given that their search failed to turn up any major leads on Denver's whereabouts, Alison issued an appeal to rural dwellers to check their outbuildings and barns for signs of Denver and she made a special appeal to lorry drivers, taxi drivers and motorists who may have inadvertently given her brother a lift.

She said Denver suffers from depression and paranoia and has battled with a drink problem and added that when he returned to Holywell after Christmas as a voluntary patient, he was at a particularly low ebb, even refusing to eat.

"I just feel he disappeared too quickly," she said. "So, I think he might have hitched a ride, maybe in a taxi or maybe in a lorry or van because there are lots of them going in and out of Holywell all of the time.

"Denver has gone out wandering in the grounds before but only for a night, or two, and he has always made contact. This time is definitely out of character for him," she said.

If YOU recognise Denver's description and have seen him, given him a lift or know of his current whereabouts, please contact police in Antrim urgently on 0845 600 8000.