Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Family pays tribute to tragic Dean
Family’s agony after body find
THE family of Dean Mcilwaine have paid tribute to a “loving and talented young man” after the discovery of his body.
The search for the 22-year-old, who has been missing for more than a week, ended in heartbreak with the tragic find at Cavehill in North Belfast on Saturday.
His aunt Kim Malone said: “It wasn’t unfortunately the outcome we had hoped and prayed for but we have him back.
“To say Karen, Rod and Glen, Demi-jo, Steph and the entire family are heartbroken is an understatement.
“Dean was a loving, gorgeous, talented, hard-working young man who had everything going for him.
“What a waste of his precious life. Our family will never be the same without you Dean.
“We love you with all our hearts. Rest easy son. God bless. See you on the other side.”
Ms Malone thanked the hundreds of people who took part in searches for the man from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, who had not been seen since July 13.
She added: “Can we just thank the police, Shaun from the search and rescue team, Paul Mccusker and Bronagh Mcshane from the Belfast City Council teams, Kay Tourist who works with the homeless and every single person who has shared our posts, prayed with us and searched with us, gave us the shirts, made posters for us.
“Tesco Northcott for sending food. Bellevue Taxis for giving free taxis to the search point and mostly Davy Mccrum who brought him back to us.
“It has been absolutely unbelievable. I’m sure I’ve missed someone out but from the bottom of our hearts we thank every single person.”
Mr Mccusker and Ms Mcshane from the city council helped co-ordinate the searches.
He said: “Hundreds of people from right across Belfast and further afield united to support the Mcilwaine family on the search at Cavehill.
“Myself and Bronagh would like to thank everyone for their efforts and ask the team of volunteers that located Dean’s body if they need any support to please get in touch.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Dean’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.
“May he rest in peace.”
Members of the Northern Ireland Land Rover Club also took part in the search on Saturday.
A spokesman said: “Massive thank you to all who helped out with the search for Dean Mcilwaine. Excellent job from you all.”
Meanwhile, a funeral director has said he will bury Dean without any charge.
It is understood the family have accepted the offer by Stephen Mccosh, who is based on the Shankill Road in West Belfast.
Mr Mccosh said: “When the news broke I felt awful inside.
“As a father I looked at my kids and thought, ‘How would you feel if your son was missing 10 days?’
“What I’ve offered can never take the pain and turmoil away that this family are dealing with.
“But it can take away the stress, strain and burden and allow them to grieve for their son in these exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
It wasn’t the outcome we hoped and prayed for but we have him back DEAN’S AUNT KIM MALONE YESTERDAY