Detectives investigating the disappearance of a man feared murdered have renewed their appeal for information four years after he vanished.

 

Thomas Groome, an Irish national, was a regular visitor to Barnsley. He spent Christmas in Kendray with his sister four years ago. He then travelled to Thorne in Doncaster to spend the new year there with his son, but has not been seen since the morning of New Year's Day 2010.

 

His family understood he was travelling to Portugal with intentions to live there and set up a business, but grew concerned when they were unable to contact him over the next few months. Police said evidence, including the lack of activity in bank and phone records, suggested he was no longer alive.

 

Earlier this year five people were arrested on suspicion of his murder and are on police bail. Officers are again appealing for information about his movements on or after January 1 2010.

 

Detective Inspector Jade Brice said: "We have made extensive enquiries in Dublin, Lagos and within South Yorkshire with a view to establishing whether or not he left the country in January 2010 and to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his last known movements.

 

"We have also carried out detailed forensic work here and abroad to help shed light on what may have happened to Thomas. "However, we still need help from the public on potential sightings of him on or since New Year's Day 2010 and in particular of the car that we know Thomas owned and drove."

 

DI Brice said Thomas had a very distinctive car - a black, left-hand drive, Wolfsburg edition Volkswagen Golf, which was 'sporty-looking', with alloy wheels, darkened windows and a big filter exhaust. The vehicle had foreign registration plates. He said: "That car is very important.

 

"If someone has done him harm, they must have done something with that car."

 

Thomas is described as 5ft 8ins tall and of a slim build, with receding greying hair and a strong southern Irish accent. He was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, blue and white chequered shirt and a light coloured, knitted cardigan.

 

Anyone with information about Thomas or his car should ring police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.