""It's the last thing, and now the only thing, we can do for Anto and his family," he said. "It came as a big shock for us. We knew he went missing last Wednesday, and it was Sunday, on the fifth day, that his body was recovered. "He would have been 40 in a couple of weeks time, so we were gearing up for a big celebration for him. But we've all been left devastated for his family after what has happened.""
"Relatives of Mr Smyth are understood to currently be in Turkey supporting his girlfriend, Susana, while efforts are underway to bring his body home to Belfast. "We just wanted to do what we could to ease things as much as we can for his family, even if we are a few thousand miles away and can't be there to support them in person. "It's been a very difficult week for them and sympathies go to his family from all who knew him.""
Anthony Smyth, 39, went missing after going for a swim during a boating trip with his girlfriend Susana at Oymapınar Dam Lake in Manavgat, Antalya. Turkish authorities recovered a body from the lake and launched an investigation. Underwater search teams had been deployed during the five-day search. Relatives of Mr Smyth are in Turkey supporting Susana while arrangements proceed to repatriate his body to Belfast. Friends and Cliftonville FC supporters have raised over €2,000 to assist with funeral and possible repatriation costs. Friends organized a fundraiser to ease financial burdens and expressed shock and sympathy for the family.
Read at Irish Independent
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