AN IRISH family will be part of a major new probe into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the Herald can reveal.
Louth couple Martin and Mary Smith were holidaying in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine went missing five years ago.
The couple and their children saw a man carrying a child, matching Maddie's description, barefoot through the town on the night of May 3, 2007.
In her book Madeleine, Kate McCann describes this sighting as one of the strongest indications that Maddie (then three) was abducted.
The Herald understands that the launch of a major new probe into the little girl's disappearance will centre around the recollections of the Smith family, who live in Drogheda.
Police reports state that Mr and Mrs Smith left Kelly's Bar in the resort at approximately 10pm when they passed a male they said was carrying a young girl who was barefoot.
Confident
Today Mrs Smith revealed that the family is prepared to be interviewed by investigators about the events of that night.
She told the Herald: "We've heard nothing for ages now.
"We have not been contacted. However, when we are we will cooperate fully," she said.
"It is such a tragic and saddening incident -- what happened to that family is not nice at all. But I can't tell you anymore because we haven't heard anything yet," she added.
The Herald understands that the couple's evidence will prove vital to police hoping to devise a photofit of the prime suspect.
Last week detectives at Scotland Yard in London announced that they have discovered 195 possible new leads. They urged Portuguese authorities to re-open their enquiry.
Madeleine's desperate parents, Kate and Gerry, have told how they believe all "leads" will be scoured by investigators in both the UK and Portugal in a new probe.
"If there is any kind of lead that hasn't been investigated properly we want police looking at it," said Kate (44).
Madeleine was almost four- years-old when she vanished from her bed in her parents' apartment at the Ocean Club holiday resort in Praia da Luz between 9.35pm and 10pm on May 3, 2007.
The Smiths were previously quizzed by investigators after they recalled seeing a man carrying a young child through the Portuguese town.
Any new probe by Scotland Yard is certain to involve the family being asked to provide information again.
Speaking as police announce that they have uncovered new leads, Gerry (43) revealed how the family are more confident than ever that Madeleine will be found alive.
"It does feel finally someone in the authorities, British authorities, are actually trying to find Madeleine," he said.
"I'm more confident now than at any point for the last four-and-a-half years we will find her and who is responsible for taking her," he added.
hnews@herald.ie
Louth couple Martin and Mary Smith were holidaying in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine went missing five years ago.
The couple and their children saw a man carrying a child, matching Maddie's description, barefoot through the town on the night of May 3, 2007.
In her book Madeleine, Kate McCann describes this sighting as one of the strongest indications that Maddie (then three) was abducted.
The Herald understands that the launch of a major new probe into the little girl's disappearance will centre around the recollections of the Smith family, who live in Drogheda.
Police reports state that Mr and Mrs Smith left Kelly's Bar in the resort at approximately 10pm when they passed a male they said was carrying a young girl who was barefoot.
Confident
Today Mrs Smith revealed that the family is prepared to be interviewed by investigators about the events of that night.
She told the Herald: "We've heard nothing for ages now.
"We have not been contacted. However, when we are we will cooperate fully," she said.
"It is such a tragic and saddening incident -- what happened to that family is not nice at all. But I can't tell you anymore because we haven't heard anything yet," she added.
The Herald understands that the couple's evidence will prove vital to police hoping to devise a photofit of the prime suspect.
Last week detectives at Scotland Yard in London announced that they have discovered 195 possible new leads. They urged Portuguese authorities to re-open their enquiry.
Madeleine's desperate parents, Kate and Gerry, have told how they believe all "leads" will be scoured by investigators in both the UK and Portugal in a new probe.
"If there is any kind of lead that hasn't been investigated properly we want police looking at it," said Kate (44).
Madeleine was almost four- years-old when she vanished from her bed in her parents' apartment at the Ocean Club holiday resort in Praia da Luz between 9.35pm and 10pm on May 3, 2007.
The Smiths were previously quizzed by investigators after they recalled seeing a man carrying a young child through the Portuguese town.
Any new probe by Scotland Yard is certain to involve the family being asked to provide information again.
Speaking as police announce that they have uncovered new leads, Gerry (43) revealed how the family are more confident than ever that Madeleine will be found alive.
"It does feel finally someone in the authorities, British authorities, are actually trying to find Madeleine," he said.
"I'm more confident now than at any point for the last four-and-a-half years we will find her and who is responsible for taking her," he added.
hnews@herald.ie
- Niall O'Connor
http://www.herald.ie/news/irish-family-are-key-witnesses-in-the-new-maddie-investigation-3097773.html
