Family plead for return of body

Gary was attacked by a gang of Spanish youths

The family of a Liverpool man murdered in Spain two years ago are still waiting for his body to be returned.

Gary Dunne, 22, from Old Swan, was stabbed to death by a gang of youths near Torremolinos in March 2006.

His parents were told last year they could have his body back, but it would have to be cremated first for hygiene reasons, which is against their wishes.

They have now asked Arlene McCarthy, MEP for the north-west of England, and the foreign secretary to help them.

They want his body back intact so they can hold a family funeral.

The Spanish authorities have refused to comment further on the case.

I demand the British government get their backsides into gear Steve Dunne

Mr Dunne, a father-of-one, was stabbed when he and a friend were attacked by a gang of local youths.

He was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries.

His father, Steve Dunne, said the family was going through "mental torture".

"The Spanish are crucifying us and I demand the British government get their backsides into gear and sort this out for us," he said.

"We need their help in a big way.

Ms McCarthy is supporting the Dunne family

"The ridiculous thing is that at first they said they couldn't release his body until they found the murderer.

"I asked what would happen if they never caught the killer, and they couldn't answer that."

He said the family were then told after several further visits that police were withholding the body in case they needed further DNA.

"We challenged the hospital to provide medical reports and we found out that they had done these tests. That was a complete load of rubbish," Mr Dunne said.

"The report we have been given now, which came from the Liverpool Echo, now says it is for hygiene reasons, that they can't open the coffin up now to send him home.

"We feel we've been lied to."

'Unique case'

The family have now asked Ms McCarthy to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Liverpool Euro MP said: "I am supporting the family and not accepting this and continuing the campaign in this unique case for a derogation to this law.

"Had this been a normal death, Gary's body would have been flown back immediately without any problem.

"Because the Spanish defence team insisted on retaining the body for evidence the family now find themselves, through no fault of their own, in this situation where they can't have their son's body returned to Liverpool.

"We need to have rules and regulations which assist grieving families and not put obstacles in their way."