Name: James Patrick Grealis (JP)
Age at disappearance: 24 years
Date of disappearance: October 23, 2008
Place of disappearance: Breda, Netherlands

James Patrick Grealis, often called JP by his family and friends, was a carpenter from Achill Island, Ireland. He grew up in a loving family as the youngest of five children. Despite his family’s modest means, JP had a happy childhood. He was known for his kindness, loyalty, and love for football.

Seeking opportunities in the Netherlands
After completing his training as a carpenter, JP struggled to find steady work in his hometown of Achill. In search of better opportunities, he first moved to England, where he worked for several years as a handyman and lived near one of his sisters. In April 2007, he decided to move to the Netherlands after hearing positive stories from other Irish immigrants in his area who had found work there. He arrived with nothing more than a backpack of clothes, his phone, and his passport.

JP worked through various employment agencies in Eindhoven, staying in hotels and guesthouses. In August 2008, he met a colleague, James Lennon, with whom he formed a close friendship. Their connection provided JP with a sense of support in a new and sometimes overwhelming environment. Later, he moved to a campsite in Lierop, hoping to find some peace in nature. Despite his friendly and calm nature, he sometimes struggled in social situations. After a few drinks, he could become loud and irritating, which led to him being unwelcome in certain pubs in Someren. This behavior seemed to stem from feelings of homesickness and loneliness that plagued him during his time in the Netherlands.

JP’s final days
On October 17, 2008, JP lost his job in Someren. What happened after that is unclear. Some say he stayed in Eindhoven for a few days, while others claim he went to Rotterdam with James Lennon to look for work. In any case, JP did not find new employment and returned to Breda on October 20.

On October 22, JP made several calls to employment agencies in the Netherlands and England, as well as a company in Terheijden. His calls to England align with something he had mentioned to his family earlier: he was considering returning to the UK. What was discussed during the conversation with the company in Terheijden remains unknown.

JP also tried to reach his old friend James Lennon but could not get in touch. Additionally, his phone registered multiple calls to unknown individuals, including a conversation with a Spanish-speaking woman from Breda. According to the police, her identity cannot be disclosed because she was in a psychiatric facility at the time.

Disappearance and investigation
On October 23, JP checked out of his guesthouse at Duivelsbruglaan in Breda and withdrew €200 from an ATM near the train station, money his family had sent him. After that, he vanished without a trace.

The night before his disappearance, JP was reportedly drunk at an intersection in Terheijden. The police gave him a warning and advised him to go home. Since JP regularly, but intermittently, kept in touch with various family members, it took about a week and a half for his absence to raise alarm. The police then launched a brief investigation but found no evidence of foul play. Under Dutch law, adults are allowed to disappear voluntarily, so the police had limited options after that.

In early November, there were reported sightings of JP in the Eindhoven or Helmond area, but these were never confirmed. As time passed, the sightings dwindled. He has not accessed his bank accounts or used his phone in more than ten years.

Criticism from family regarding the investigation
JP’s family was dissatisfied with the police’s handling of the case and actively sought attention for his disappearance. They frequently returned to the Netherlands to put up posters and raise awareness. The family also filed a lawsuit against the police but lost in 2014 when the Court of Den Bosch ruled that the police had acted appropriately and found no evidence of a crime. Newspapers such as BN de Stem covered the case extensively, giving JP’s sisters opportunities to make renewed appeals in the media.

In 2018 and 2019, the case gained additional attention when the delivery company Deliveroo started marking their bags with posters of five long-term missing persons, including JP. This project was known as “Ride to Find.” Despite all these efforts, JP has not been found.

Possible scenario
JP’s family firmly believes he did not disappear voluntarily. He had a strong bond with his family and had even purchased a ticket to go home for Christmas. There were no signs that he was depressed or considering harming himself. Furthermore, in such a case, his body would likely have been found by now. These scenarios seem ruled out, leaving few other possibilities. According to his family, foul play seems the most likely explanation.

JP had a habit of drinking heavily and, as previously mentioned, became annoying after reaching a certain level of intoxication. Though he rarely displayed aggression, his behavior could irritate others. In the past, he had been arrested for being drunk in public, something he did while celebrating his sister’s birthday from afar. He was also involved in a fight with a group of Moroccans, during which he sustained a knife wound to his ribs. Considering these events, it seems increasingly plausible that he may have gotten into trouble during a night out.

Information and tips
After all these years, JP’s fate remains a mystery for his family. His sisters continue to fight for answers and new leads, still hoping that someone out there knows something about their brother’s disappearance. If you are that person and have information about JP’s case, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will ensure that your tip reaches the right people in the police and family. You may remain anonymous if you wish. Please fill out the contact form on the bottom of this page and provide as much information as possible.