Plea for missing 22 year old to come home

The family of a missing 22 year old have issued an emotional plea for him to come home.

Dean McIlwaine hasn't been seen since last Thursday, when he was spotted on the Carnmoney Road.

His cousin Jordan Malone had a message for Dean, "No matter where you are, what you are doing or what’s gong through your head."

"No-one is angry with you; no one is going to shout at you.”

"Just come back, as long as you are safe, please just contact us."

The 22 year old, from Newtownabbey, works at a barbershop in Belfast and was due to open his own premises in the coming weeks.

Dean says, “The thing that worried me most was that Dean missed work.”

“Dean would never miss work, he thinks too much of it and his shop to be, he is always talking about it.”

“It’s completely out of character; I can’t believe this is happening.”

Over the last few days, a number of people have been in contact with Dean's family to report sightings.

However, they have all turned out to be false alarms.

Jordan says, “if you do see Dean, he is the friendliest person you could meet, approach him, call the police.

“Don’t leave it too late and let another day go by.”

A search is due to take place this evening in Belfast, starting at City Hall at 8pm