NI man ordered to Spanish court over John George case ‘evicted after turning up intoxicated’

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/ni-man-ordered-to-spanish-court-over-john-george-case-evicted-after-turning-up-intoxicated/a939247663.html

A man ordered to appear in court in Spain to make a statement about the murder of John George was allegedly evicted from the building after showing up intoxicated.
A recording shows the man from Northern Ireland outside the courthouse arguing with Spanish police, slurring his words and unsteady on his feet.
A solicitor acting for the murdered 37-year-old’s family says the man should now be arrested until he sobers up and tells the authorities in Alicante what he knows.
Mr George, from west Belfast, was found dead after vanishing is Spain on December 14. His funeral takes place in Belfast tomorrow.
Kevin Winters, who is acting for Mr George’s father Billy, said: “We are told that one of the persons summonsed to court in Spain had to be removed because he was unfit due to intoxication.
“If that’s correct then action needs taken immediately against him.
“Whilst there is an entirely different criminal justice system in Spain, nevertheless I expect there to be enough power within the court to sanction this man for his state of inebriation.”
Along with Michal Maly from the Czech Republic, the Northern Irish national, with an address in Orihuela on the Costa Blanca, was ordered to appear before the judge for questioning.
The summonses served earlier this week describe them both as witnesses to a homicide, with no suggestion that either man was responsible for killing Mr George.
The two were warned they face a fine of between €200 to €5,000 if they fail to appear.
The alleged killer in the case remains on the run and is being sought by Interpol.
While Mr Maly did appear before the judge, the second man was ejected from the premises.
A video shows him arguing with members of Guardia Civil outside the courthouse.
Mr Winters said: “We now call on the authorities to take all steps to get him back into court as soon as possible.
“The threat of a night in the cells would be a salutary reminder of the need to show some respect for both the court and bereaved.
“If reports are correct then there was none of that on display today. That witness needs hauled back into court immediately.”

There were also reports this week that a relative of the suspect still being sought in relation to the shooting travelled to Spain on Friday. That has led to speculation he may be hiding out somewhere in the Alicante region.
There are international arrest warrants issued in Spain for the man who is the main suspect in the killing. He has been in hiding since the end of December.
John George last contacted his father Billy on December 14 and is thought to have been attacked later that evening.
A flight to Northern Ireland was later booked in his name. His family was told he had lost his phone and would be flying home to Belfast on December 18, he failed to board the flight.
His body was discovered in a rural area close to Rojales, 45 minutes south of Alicante, three weeks after he was murdered. He had been stabbed and shot.
Mr George’s funeral was delayed for an independent autopsy to take place. He will now be laid to rest following Requiem Mass at St Luke’s Church in Twinbrook this morning.
The family asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.