Irishman stabbed in Spain was John George pal and ‘had info on murder'

Sunday World

22-06-2025

Belfast man told Spanish cops he knows attacker's identity but refuses to name them
An Irishman stabbed in Spain last Sunday was previously named as having knowledge about the murder of John George, we can reveal.
Dan McMeekin (29) was viciously attacked with a knife in the Costa Orihuela area of the Costa Blanca. He had previously admitted online he should have contacted the family of John George before the 37-year-old was murdered.
According to reports in Spain McMeekin, a self-confessed drug addict from the outskirts of west Belfast, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday in La Zenia, near Torrevieja.
Despite local news reports stating there were 'pools of blood' found at the scene of the early morning attack, he survived the shocking incident and has been recovering in hospital.
It has also been reported in the press in Spain that the authorities have revealed McMeekin told them he knew who had stabbed him but that he would not be telling them.
They also revealed McMeekin has a criminal record and it's well known he has a series of convictions for domestic abuse against a former partner.
Dan McMeekin in Spain
McMeekin, who is known to be extremely vulnerable due to substance abuse issues, became a target of social media trolls and amateur investigators after the murder of John George.
McMeekin knew John George well and was in a bar in Spain where it's claimed a plan was hatched to attack the Belfast man who was later found murdered.
The father of two was shot and his body was left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 but his body wasn't discovered for several weeks.
Supporters of John George and his family believe Dan McMeekin has information relevant to the investigation. However, he has never been arrested or charged with anything.
In January Belfast lawyers acting for the family of John George named Dan McMeekin as being one of two men who was due to appear in court in Spain – not as suspects but to tell the court what they knew about the lead-up to the murder.
Dan McMeekin is recovering in hospital after last Sunday's knife attack in Torrevieja
Two weeks after John George's body was found, Belfast legal firm KRW Law said on January 31: 'We can confirm that summonses have issued for the attendance of two persons to answer enquiries in relation to the murder of Mr George. We have been in touch with the authorities in connection with this latest development.
'We understand that each person was originally due to appear at the designated Preliminary Court sitting in Torrevieja, Spain on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 930am but are now expected to appear on Friday 31 January 2025 in the same court.
'We are advised the two specified persons are identified as Michael Maly and Daniel Anthony McMeekin.
'The family now face an anxious wait to learn what each individual has to say. They are calling upon them to take what they say is 'a final chance to come clean' on the lead-up to and the circumstances surrounding their son's murder before Christmas last year...'
The family of John George arrive back in Belfast
Czech national Michael Maly was later arrested and appeared in court as a murder suspect but was released on bail and has yet to be charged with any offence.
Meanwhile 27-year-old Newtownabbey man Jonny Smyth was eventually arrested in Portugal having gone on the run before being extradited back to Spain where he has also been named as a suspect and held on remand in prison – but like Maly has not yet been charged with any offence.
Sources say Jonny Smyth had helped Dan McMeekin after finding him in Spain in a bad way on drugs.
Jonny Smyth
But Smyth turned on Dan and gave him a beating after it's claimed he found Dan doing cocaine in the apartment Smyth shared with his partner – now wife – Madison.
McMeekin has been in jail back home in Northern Ireland several times and was convicted of a number of nasty domestic abuse offences.
He was described as a drug addict during several appearances in various courtrooms where it emerged he had attacked the same partner a number of times and that the pair were both vulnerable and suffered from substance and alcohol abuse issues.
We can also reveal that McMeekin's images have been plastered all over social media in Spain where it's claimed he is a suspect in a number of burglaries.
Pictures appearing to show him inside business premises late at night were shared widely.
Those claiming he is a suspect have pointed to his very distinctive tattoo he has on his left hand which is clearly visible.
McMeekin posted a video to his Facebook page back in January where he was visibly upset and appeared to be high on drugs or drink.
He was responding to wild speculation on social media and named one TikToker who he felt was not telling the truth about him and what he knew or didn't know about John George.
Slurring his words, he says: 'I am doing my best to help in so many ways... I am guilty, guilty of not telling the family sooner. I am vulnerable, this is breaking me, I have a heart, I do.
'The truth will be told, what I know is fact. It's been a hard time, I have helped. There's a lot of yous who don't know about the good I have done so stop going by social media and stop jumping to conclusions.
'I know what the family is going through, please stop jumping to conclusions, I am helping.'
Murder victim John George
The attack on Dan McMeekin comes during a spate of violence on the Spanish coast after a number of murders and shootings of British and Irish ex-pats various parts of the Spanish coast.
The attack on him unfolded at around 1.30am on Calle Jalon, a shadowy street running parallel to the Las Estacas Rambla, just a stone's throw from the bustling La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre.
It is very near to where another Irishman was shot in the head some weeks ago in what police suspected was a settling of scores between rival gangs.
There is no suggestion yet that the two cases are linked.
Dan McMeekin was found by local police bleeding heavily, having been stabbed in the street.
Officers administered first aid at the scene before paramedics rushed him to Torrevieja Hospital, where he remained under care.
John George and Dan McMeekin
News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd
The Sunday World has reached out to McMeekin but has not had a response. It's not clear if he has been released from hospital.
The Guardia Civil's Judicial Police have opened an investigation, and the area around the attack remained cordoned off into Sunday morning, with blood stains still visible on the ground.
This is the second serious incident involving Irish nationals in La Zenia in recent days, prompting unease among locals and authorities alike.
In May, a 21-year-old Irishman was shot and seriously wounded nearby. That attack led to the arrest of two fellow Irishmen, aged 27 and 45.
One, accused of pulling the trigger, is now behind bars without bail; the other was released with conditions, including a travel ban, as an alleged accomplice.