Police renew appeal over disappearance of Co Antrim man Dean Patton 14 years ago
County Antrim man Dean Patton went missing 14 years ago
Wednesday 4 November 2026
Police have renewed their appeal for information about a Portrush man who vanished more than 14 years ago, urging anyone who visited the north coast during the summer of 2012 to consider whether they may hold a vital clue.
Dean Patton was just 24 years old when he was last seen in the Main Street area of Portrush on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 July 2012. His disappearance remains the subject of an ongoing police investigation.
Detectives are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the Ramore Head or Eglinton Lane areas of the seaside town on 24 or 25 July 2012, including holidaymakers and regular visitors who may have witnessed something relevant.
Police urge public to revisit memories of summer 2012
Detective Inspector Lavery acknowledged the considerable time that has passed but stressed that even seemingly insignificant information could help investigators.
“We understand that Dean disappeared 14 years ago, but we would appeal to any members of the public who may remember seeing Dean, or someone who fitted his description in Portrush, or, indeed, elsewhere, to please get in touch with us.
“We would particularly ask people to think back to 2012, if they were in the Ramore Head or Eglington Lane areas of Portrush on Tuesday, 24th or Wednesday 25th July, 2012 and might have seen Dean.
“With the north coast a popular spot with visitors, we would also ask anyone who travels there regularly and may have been there that summer, to make contact if they feel they might have any relevant information.”
Description of Dean when he disappeared
Dean was approximately 6ft tall, with dark hair and a tanned complexion.
When he was last seen, he was wearing:
• A black T-shirt with a large motif
• A dark-coloured jacket
• Dark trousers
• Black trainers with white edging
Police are asking people to consider whether they remember seeing Dean, or someone matching his description, either in Portrush or elsewhere around the time of his disappearance.
Fourteen years of uncertainty for Dean’s family
The renewed appeal comes as Dean’s family and friends continue to live without answers about what happened to him.
Detective Inspector Lavery said:
“The past 14 years have obviously been incredibly tough for Dean’s family and friends and even the smallest, seemingly insignificant detail could help with our investigation.
“Our enquiries are ongoing and we remain in contact with Dean's family.”
How to provide information to police
Anyone who remembers seeing Dean or believes they may have information about his disappearance is asked to contact police, regardless of how minor the detail may seem.
Information can be provided through the following channels:
• PSNI online witness appeal form: https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals
• Police non-emergency telephone number: 101
• Quote reference: 770 of 25/07/12
• Crimestoppers anonymous telephone line: 0800 555 111
• Crimestoppers online: http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
With the investigation still ongoing, detectives hope that revisiting the events of July 2012 will encourage someone who has never previously come forward to share information that could help establish what happened to Dean.
