Northern Ireland

Searches continue for missing Antrim man as police renew appeal for information

Alan Whiteside (33) was last seen in Antrim town centre on December 17

Alan Whiteside
Alan Whiteside, from the Antrim area, was last seen on December 17

Police have renewed their appeal for information on a 33-year-old man missing in Antrim for over two weeks.

Alan Whiteside was last seen in the High Street area of Antrim on Sunday, December 17, and has been the focus of searches in the area since he was reported missing.

Mr Whiteside left licenced premises at around 9pm on the date he was last seen, and is understood to have made his way towards a pedestrian bridge over the Six Mile Water river, which runs through Antrim town centre.

Described as approximately 5 ft 8 inches tall, of medium build, and with brown hair and eyes, Mr Whiteside was wearing black jeans, a black t-shirt and black Adidas trainers.

Alan Whiteside. PICTURE: PSNI

The ongoing searches in the Antrim area are being carried out by volunteers including the Community Rescue Service, Lough Neagh Rescue group, and police.

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A PSNI spokesperson said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have dash cam footage of the Antrim town centre, Bridge Street and Dublin Road areas between 9pm and 10pm on this date (December 17) to get in touch.

”We would also appeal to business owners in the town centre to check their premises, yards and store rooms that may have been closed over the Christmas period, as well as residential owners to check their outhouses and sheds.

”Anyone with any information which might assist us is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1781 of 19/12/23.”

Volunteers searching in the Lough Neagh area for missing Antrim man Alan Whiteside. PICTURE: COMMUNITY RESCUE SERVICE/FACEBOOK

They added: ”We would also like to thank Lough Neagh Rescue, the Community Rescue Service, and all those volunteers who have been helping and are continuing to assist with efforts to bring Alan home.”

A Facebook page titled ‘Bring Alan Home’ has been set up in a bid to help with the search for the Antrim man.

The Community Rescue Service has also been assisted in their searches with the north’s Search and Rescue Dog Association.