The sister of Lisa Dorrian has spoken of the “emotional toll” of the search for missing Belfast man John George.
Joanne Dorrian, chair of K9 Search & Rescue NI, which is involved in the search, said they had been directed to a very specific area after a tip.
A team from Northern Ireland is continuing to assist the family.
John George (37), also known as John Hardy, had been in Alicante on holiday but did not board his flight home to Belfast on December 18, with his family convinced he has been shot and his body hidden.
Ms Dorrian, who chairs K9 Search& Rescue NI, is the sister of missing woman Lisa Dorrian who disappeared in 2005.
Helping to coordinate efforts from home, she said seven members of the K9 team have flown out to Alicante to lend their expertise to Mr George’s family and friends.
- Father of John George confronts man he believes killed his sonOpens in new window
- John George: timeline of disappearance of Belfast dad who family believe was murdered in SpainOpens in new window
- John George vigil told ‘nobody deserves the torment our family has been put through’ as hundreds gather in west BelfastOpens in new window
“We’re day two in the search for John George and we’ve been directed to a very specific area today after a tip the family had received,” Ms Dorrian told the Irish News.
“The dogs are at that area now and working hard to either rule it in or out.
“That’s great for the team to actually have some information.”
On how the team approach a search in an unfamiliar area, she said: “They will do a profile on the missing person and their circumstances and how they went missing.
“Based on that, a search strategy will be drawn up. Hopefully that will give the family time to take a breath.
“It’s been very intense for them and will have taken an emotional toll.
“Hopefully seeing a professional team there will take a bit of pressure off them.
“They’re very grateful for the support of K9.”
Following the disappearance of her sister in 2005, Ms Dorrian has continued to support other families - including at the recent start of an inquest for the murdered German backpacker, Inga Maria Hauser.
“From a personal point of view, I sympathise with every family missing a loved one,” she said.
“I always try and let them lean on the experience that I’ve had over almost 20 years.
“I suppose from a K9 point of view, this is exactly what we trained for and invested so many hours and money.
“This is exactly where the team want to be. We’ll go anywhere if we think we can add value.”
He said the man had been arrested by Spanish police and later released.
The suspect is also believed to be one of several people with knowledge of Mr George’s disappearance.
