Northern Ireland

Body found in search for missing Co Antrim man

Anthony Smylie went missing on March 6
Anthony Smylie went missing on March 6 Anthony Smylie went missing on March 6

A BODY has been found in the search for a missing Co Antrim man.

Police issued an appeal following the disappearance of Anthony Smylie (42) three weeks ago.

Mr Smylie, from the village of Dervock near Ballymoney, was last seen in Coleraine on March 6.

Teams from the PSNI and the Community Rescue Service recovered a body from the riverbank on the Glenstall Road outside Ballymoney on March 29.

Darryl Wilson, a UUP councillor for the area, offered his condolences to Mr Smylie's family and friends.

"It was my hope, and the hope of this entire community that Anthony, who had been missing for a number of days would be returned to his family safe and well.

"Over the last number of weeks I have been contacted on an almost daily basis by local people asking about Anthony in the hope that there was a positive update. Anthony was well thought of by his friends, family and the entire community.

"Can I offer my heartfelt sympathies to Anthony's family and friends at this very sad time."

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police recovered the body of a man from land on the Glenstall Road in Ballymoney yesterday evening, Friday 29 March.

"A post mortem is due to take place to determine the cause of death however it is not being treated as suspicious at this time. There will be no further comment at this time."