AN Irish expat is demanding justice after a removal firm failed to deliver his belongings when he moved to Spain three years ago.
Retired pharmacist Oliver Roche, from Derry, claims two ‘dodgy’ firms are responsible for his items not arriving from Turkey in 2023.
The 77-year-old spent €16,000 on the companies to help him move his home from Bodrum to Huelva.
But despite the Turkish embassy in Dublin confirming he had correct paperwork ‘nothing has arrived’.
“It’s been a complete disaster. I have lost a lifetime worth of furniture. Now all I have of her are memories,” he said.
While he has called in Northern Irish police to help recover the ‘€50,000-worth’ of possessions, detectives say they cannot act as the fraud took place in Turkey.
Roche, who bought his dream retirement home, near Ayamonte, got in touch with the Olive Press after reading how another couple, the Bennetts, lost €25,000-worth of belongings from a rogue removal firm, B Moved, near London.
His nightmare began when he hired JDS Euro Transport & Removals for €7,500 in September 2023 after seeing an ad on Facebook.
However, he was told he would need to hire a second more specialist firm, Andrew Ridge & Sons, for an additional €8,500, but they were allegedly ‘turned back’ at customs.
“I had no choice but to accept the second firm,” explained Roche, insisting he was thankful that he didn’t pay an ‘additional €14,000’ to store his belongings in Turkey.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Raw dog food blamed in Spain expat pet tragedy that sparked €20,000 vet bill
Despite the ordeal, Roche is learning Spanish and hasn’t given up on his Spanish retirement dream.
“However, I would urge any other expats to thoroughly research removal companies and avoid upfront payments before moving,” he said.
A spokesman for JDS removals insisted ‘all responsibility’ lies with Andrew Ridge & Sons. Meanwhile Andy Ridge told the Olive Press this week: “Oliver agreed to have his belongings stored but did not pay for it.”
Oliver completely denies this and a stream of messages appears to confirm this.
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