Gerry's Blog/Diary - Days 01 to 50
In the early days Gerry sometimes wrote more than 1 day together. At times he had, the wrong day for the date or, the wrong date for the day. Or write 2 for the same Date or Day e.g. There was 2 Day 38s & 2 Dates 12/06/2007
Day 50 - 22/06/2007 - Friday
Sister Phil
Day 50
Digital Images
Days 49- 50
Amsterdam
Day 50
OLD SITE
50-SCREENSHOT
NEW SITE
50-SCREENSHOT
We never thought it would happen: 50 days without Madeleine. Solidarity the world over has been expressed today with the launch of balloons in every continent to remember Madeleine and other missing children. The event in Praia da Luz had considerable media interest as did many other releases the world over. Sean and Amelie released their balloons shortly after kate and I let go our 50 and we were pleased the media respected our wish for the twins not to be photographed any longer. Please send digital images and video of your local event to images@bringmadeleinehome.com
We were not planning to say anything at the launch but there was such a large turnout from Portuguese TV who we have not spoken
to for some time that we decided to answer their questions. The beauty of the launch was the local and international dimension with media coverage spreading Madeleines image far and wide.
We have seen the video of the Ullapool (home of the website and my sister Phil) launch, Glasgow and extensive pictures from
Amsterdam. We very much look forward to seeing pictures from all the other venues. One of these balloons may just be found by someone who recognises Madeleine and alerts the authorities.
Day 49 - 21/06/2007 - Thursday
Yemeni Vargas
Day 49
Yellow Ribbons
Day 49
Letters
Day 49
Balloons
Day 49
OLD SITE
49-SCREENSHOT
NEW SITE
49-SCREENSHOT
Met with the Portuguese police today for an update. Their committemnt to find Madeleine matches ours and we all hope for that vital breakthrough every day.
We have literally received thousands of letters, cards and messages of support here in Portugal which have helped give us strength during this terrible time. Yesterday we received a particularly touching gift which is entitled Madeleines Book of Hope made up with comments from children of all ages from 3 different schools including a pre-school. The messages in different coloured pages with green and yellow ribbons had both the power to us cry and laugh!
The response to the balloon launch to mark 50 days that Madeleine has been missing has been incredible. There are close to 300 centres, and countries all over the world, participating. There has been a lot of local media interest but remember to take digital photographs and videos if possible which will be able to be uploaded to the website so we can display them. The message of Madeleines disappearance will reach many more people tomorrow.
A pleasing aspect of the launch will be the highlighting of other missing or abducted children, many of whom will have recieved little public attention. I know that 7 year old Yeremi Vargas will be
remembered in Madrid and his family will be releasing balloons from Gran Canaria where he disappeared in March of this year.
Our campaign to find Madeleine will be associated with other child welfare issues in the future. We are very keen to see more debate
on issues that we and other families in similar situations have to face.
Child abuse is a taboo subject still in many countries and we must encourage responsible debate around how child abuse can be prevented.
Day 48 - 20/06/2007 - Wednesday
AFGHANISTAN KITE
Day 48
Fund
Day 48
Leicester
Day 48
OLD SITE
48-SCREENSHOT
NEW SITE
48-SCREENSHOT
Another busy day of meetings this time in Leicester. No mishaps thankfully.The main meeting was that of Maddeleines fund where we discussed implementing a strategy to maintain our campaign to find Madeleine. It was agreed in principle to appoint a family spokesperson who will act, not just for Kate and I, but also on behalf of the extended family who have been liasing with the media. This appointment will take a lot of strain off family members who have been putting in such massive efforts to help find Madeleine.
We are delighted with the response to the 50th day balloon launch
which will truly be a global event. There will be a few variations to the release of balloons however. In Ventura, Southern California, 50 white doves will be released and in
Afghanistan kite racing, an activity banned under the Taliban, will be the order of the day. Arrived back in Praia da Luz this evening and it was great to see Kate and the Kids, even though I was only away for a day and a half.
Day 47 - 19/06/2007 - Tuesday
Passenger Collapsed
Day 47
WALLET
Days 47 - 57
London
Day47
OLD SITE
47-SCREENSHOT
NEW SITE
47-SCREENSHOT
Flew in to London to for a series of meetings. Helped a passenger on the flight who collapsed. He was ill enough to require a full assessment on arrival and went off to hospital in an ambulance.
Unfortunately shortly after arriving in London I had my wallet stolen which meant I was running late. I did manage to get to all my meetings which ran late into the evening. We had very good discussions regarding sustaining the search for Madeleine long term. The role for Kate and I in the campaign will not be nearly be so
public. We have to balance any campaigning in the search for Madeleine with protecting Sean and Amelie and making sure their privacy is protected.
We are exploring the use of new media and using local advertising, particularly in Europe.
There will of course be event driven media
exposure such as the balloon launch on Friday 22nd. There are several other very good ideas being developed and a few large companies are willing to help us.
Day 46 - 18/06/2007 - Monday
OLD SITE
46-SCREENSHOT
NEW SITE
46-SCREENSHOT
Kate and I got the respone we wanted after speaking to the Portuguese ploice today. We are assured that no criticism of our actions on the night Madeline
disappeared was intended.
There has been a good response to our planned balloon release for Madeleine and other missing children on Friday and we are confident that over 50 countries
will be represented.
The twins have really enjoyed seeing family who have been visiting us for the last 3 days- it has passed very quickly. Hopefully the next time we see them it will be with Madeleine.
Day 45 - 17/06/2007 - Sunday
RUNNING
Days 45
Kate and I managed an early morning run before church.
The first event of our longer term campaign will be on Friday 22nd June- this will mark the 50th day Madeleine will be missing. We will be launching green and yellow balloons from at least 50 centres worldwide to mark the fact that we are still searching as are other parents of missing children. Countries that are partcipating so far
NEW SITE
45-SCREENSHOT
are Argentina, El Salvador, USA, Canada, Ireland, UK,
The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal (Kate and I in Praia da Luz), Spain, South Africa, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. . Any other countries that wish to partcipate can download information from the website.
Day 44 - 16/06/2007 - Saturday
Zoo
Day 44
NEW SITE
44-SCREENSHOT
Kate and I dropped Jon at the airport this morning and picked up some more friends/family who have come out to see us, but
particularly the twins. They were certainly happy to see our visitors! After lunch we headed off to the local zoo. Relatively quiet on the campaign front today as it is a family day. Tomorrow we will announce one or two planned events to keep Madeleines disappearnace high profile.
Day 43 - 15/06/2007 - Friday
THE TELEGRAAF
Days 41-42-43
NEW SITE
43-SCREENSHOT
The good news today is that the search in response to the letter in the Telegraaf did not find evidence of Madeleine. We still belive that
Madeleine is alive. We have made some real progress deciding on campaign strategy. There is a huge amount of goodwill from people who want to help us find Madeleine and we have some concrete offers of support and are trying to finalise details before releasing them.Tomorrow will be a family day.
Day 42 - 14/06/2007 - Thursday
THE TELEGRAAF
TELEGRAPH 14-06-07
DVD
Day 42
Logo
Day 42
OLD SITE
42-SCREENSHOT
NEW SITE
42-SCREENSHOT
Six weeks since Madeleine disappeared. We believe Madeleine is alive and I am glad to say that following yesterday's letter in the Telegraaf (Netherlands) there has been no evidence that Madeliene is in the area indicated although there will be further searches tomorrow.
Kate and I picked up a friend from Faro airport who has been
instrumental in helping with the campaign. He has been fantastic, producing the DVD of Madeleine to ‘Don’t you forget about me’
which has been shown at many sporting events and concerts as well as producing the look for maddie logo and various posters.
We spent most of the day updating each other and discussing future campaign ideas. We are getting closer to appointing a campaign manager who will handle media liaison and coordinating events to keep Madeleine’s disappearance highly visible
Day 41 - 13/06/2007 - Wednesday
THE TELEGRAAF
Days 41-42-43
Met with Portuguese and British police today to get an update on the investigation. We were reaasured that information continues to come in, and we continue to pray for a breakthrough.
We were extremely disappointed in the publication of the anonymous letter in The Telegraaf (Netherlands) claiming to know where Madeleine is buried. Although all information will be taken seriously, we were very upset that the credibility of this letter had not been examined and, more importantly, published before the Portuguese police had an opportunity to investigate the claim, and search the area if appropriate without massive media attention. We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and even if it were true is insensitive and cruel.
One can imagine how upsetting it is for Kate and I to hear of such claims
through the media and if every piece of information was published like this there would be nothing else in the newspapers.
Day 40 - 12/06/2007 - Tuesday
Morocco
Day 39-40
Overturned Lorry
Day 40
DAY GERRY USED
Day 39 -12/06/2007
We finished off our trip to Morocco with a private visit to the minister for religious affairs this morning. He is an academic, senior cleric and adviser to the King of Morocco. We explained to him that although we are Roman Catholic we have received messages of support and prayers from all religious groups. Leicester, where we live, is extremely diverse culturally with a large proportion of Muslims and there were prayers for Madeline throughout Leicester on Sunday. We asked the minister if prayers could be said for Madeleine and other missing children in Morocco. He told us that people were praying for her and again emphasised that if Madeleine is in Morocco they would find her. En route to the airport a lorry had overturned blocking the exit from the motorway. The Moroccan people dealt with this in a very calm and relaxed manner, which we have found is a very engaging aspect of their character. Arriving back in Praia da Luz it was great to see Sean and Amelie. I think they were happy to see us although have been very well looked after as usual. We have no more trips planned for the immediate future and will spend the next few days taking stock. Tonight we have also gone to the church for prayers, as it is now 40 days and nights since Madeleine was abducted. No child or parent should have to endure his experience and we prayed that she would be found safe and well.
Day 39 -11/06/2007 - Monday
Morocco
Day 38-39-40
Rabat
Day 39
DAY AND DATE GERRY USED
Day 38 -12/06/2007
We spent the day in Rabat meeting 3 child welfare groups, the minister for interior and the chief of police. We had little knowledge of Morocco before coming here and have learned what a family orientated and child loving society it is. Everyone has been incredibly sympathetic and said they will do everything to help us find Madeleine. As well as the meetings there was a very touching experience outside the National Observatory for Chidren's Rights. As we pulled up in the car there were about 150 children waving posters of Madeleine with the words above and below a picture of her:
'All Moroccan Children Are With You Madeleine- Madeleine: Back Home'. They were singing and cheering Madeleine's name and shouting 'coeur', Heart. This whole experience was uplifting and enlightening at the same time in that we had no concept that so many children in Morocco would know of Madeleine and also be internet- friendly. It is just as likely that a child will spot Madeleine and alert a responsible adult. The whole world really has changed and is a lot smaller in this computer age. If Madeleine is in Morocco we have no doubt that she will be found.
We did a couple of interviews for ITV and Sky and followed up our Newspaper interviews focussing on a change in the phase of the campaign. We confirmed that there will be a period of reflection before we decide on what is the best role for Kate and I. The campaign and the search for Madeleine will continue and with everyone's help we will find her. So please stay with us.
Day 38- 10/06/2007 - Sunday
20 Seater Plane
Day 38
Morocco
Day 38-39-40
We attended mass this morning and the Bishop had sent a very nice message that he and everyone else was praying for Madeleine. He also said that our attitude in this time of adversity was an example for others. Contrary to some of the headlines in the Sunday papers the campaign to find Madeleine will not ease up. Kate’s and my role will be different after Morocco compared to the last 3 weeks. As I said earlier we will reflect on the investigation, what the campaign has achieved and where we will be best directed. We will be less evident in the media, at least for a few days, unless there is a breakthrough in the investigation. First of all we have Morocco. We drove up to Lisbon late this afternoon to catch a flight to Casablanca where embassy officials will meet us. We were surprised to learn that a 20 seat propeller plane was sent instead of the larger aircraft. Luckily Kate, Clarence and I got squeezed on although we were certainly rather apprehensive about flying on such an aircraft- it reminded us of some of the internal flights we took in New Zealand in the mid 90’s. The meeting in Rabat will follow a similar itinerary as to the European visits. We will meet with the ambassador and his staff, two children’s charities, the interior minister and possibly the chief of police. We will do two interviews for the main TV stations and the press conference will be last. I am sure we will be asked about the Marrakech siting which has been extensively reported in the press. I should be able to get some more details of this from ITV, who interviewed the witness, and hopefully the justice minister to find out what enquiries were made by the local police
Day 37 - 09/06/2007 - Saturday
Sagres Beach
Day 37
Suspect
Day 37
DATE GERRY USED
Day 37 - 11/06/2007
Kate and I had a slightly busier day on the media front than expected. We did a short press interview for the Irish Sunday papers, mainly to thank the Irish for their fantastic level of support. We followed that with one for the British Sundays which is likely to be the last one we do for a while. We talked about our pain of not having having Madeleine for such a long time and for our need to grieve, which occurs mainly in private. We also talked about how after Morocco we will have to spend some time reflecting both emotionally, and also how best the campaign can be taken forward. What we want to ensure is that the campaign has a psoitive effect on finding Madeleine.
After this we headed down to Sagres which is the very most southwestern tip of Portugal. There is a very nice beach and we had lunch with the family.
After returning from the beach we did the Irish version of Crimewatch-‘Crimecall’. There are a lot of Irish tourists in and around Praia da Luz and although the awareness of Madeleine’s disappearance in Ireland is extremely high, we want to ensure that everyone is aware of the appeal and we want the Irish public to come forward with photographs of people who they do not know who were in and around Praia da Luz in the 2 weeks leading up to the 3rd May. The address to upload photographs is: to www.madeleine.ceopupload.com . We have also asked for people to contact their local police if they have seen a man matching the description of the suspect carrying a child seen around the time of Madeleine’s abduction. He is 30-40 years, 1.70-1.80m (5’7”-11”), caucasian and was wearing a dark jacket, beige or mustard coloured trousers with dark shoes. No major news on the investigation front- we still believe it is just a single phone call away.
Day 36 - 08/06/2007 - Friday
Berlin
Day 34-35-36
Amsterdam
Day 34-35-36
Sea Bass
Day 36
Quieter day today. This was a good chance to catch up with campaign e-mails and phone calls after the trips to Berlin and Amsterdam. At lunchtime we went to the release of 1000 yellow balloons at the beach carrying cards with Madeleine’s picture on it and information in 5 different languages including arabic. There were similar launches in Manchester and Madrid. The event was organsied by the Sun who, like almost all of the media, have been incredibly supportive. I told Nick, the Sun journalist, that we are happy to support all strategies which increase the chances of finding Madeleine. Later in the afternoon we went down to the beach and had dinner in one of the restaurants which Sean and Amelie really enjoyed. Sean, in particular has acquired a taste for sea-bass! Kate and I did a short interview for BBC East Midlands to thank everyone for their support and it is likely that this will be shown around most of the regions, certainly Northwest and BBC Scotland. Kate and most of the family headed down to the church for the regular Friday night vigil but I was just too shattered. Tommorrow will largely be a family day although I am not sure what we will be doing yet.
Day 35 - 07/06/2007 -Thursday
LAGOS
Day 35
Berlin
Day 34-35-36
Amsterdam
Day 34-35-36
Green &
Yellow Hands
Day 35
OLD SITE
35-SCREENSHOT
DATE GERRY USED
Day 35 - 06th June 2007
The press conference, meetings and appeal on TV today in Amsterdam all seemed to go well. I doubt there are many people left in Europe who do not know of Madeleine’s disappearance and hopefully everyone who has information will have come forward to the police. Today was particularly difficult for Kate and I because of the year we spent in Amsterdam with Madeleine. We have many friend s still there and could never have imagined coming back without her in such dreadful circumstances. Afterwards we caught with a friend of mine who was attending a medical conference in Amsterdam and a friend who helps run a playgroup that we attended We arrived back in Portugal and managed to spend some time with Sean and Amelie. We then drove to the concert in Lagos in aid of Madeleine, which is the first large public event in Portugal that I know of supporting the campaign. It was interesting mix of jazz, blues, orchestra and rap! We were presented with a painting with green and yellow hands from a class of schoolkids- hands of hope. There was a short speech and Kate thanked tke local
community for their support. The amount of media coverage Madeleine’s disappearance has received is phenomenal. After Morocco we will have to take stock and decide on our best strategy. I am not convinced going to other European countries and holding meetings similar to Berlin and Amsterdam will help.
Day 34 -06/06/2007 - Wednesday
Berlin
Day 34-35-36
Amsterdam
Day 34-35-36
Today seemed to go very well with huge interest in our search for Madeleine. There has also been a little bit of criticism in the German press about the amount of media coverage but this did not seem to diminish the level of interest. The German interviewers are a little more direct with their questions but I was still surprised by the question as to whether Kate and I may be involved in Madeleine’s abduction! Hopefully our answers removed any doubt on that score and that our sole focus in all of the family campaigning is to get Madeleine back. After the media we met with a couple of politicians in private. Firstly, we saw the deputy justice minister for Germany who gave us reassurances regarding the investigation. Following this we met the Mayor of Berlin who is a very powerful and charismatic politician. He asked us what he could do for us and following this meeting asked German tourists who were in the Algarve around the time of Madeleine’s abduction to come forward. He is very popular and such public backing should help our appeal. We had to delay our onward flight to Amsterdam because of some information received by the police, which we needed to be consulted on. We diverted to the embassy in Berlin but it turned out to be nothing of interest. We unfortunately had to miss 2 TV programmes as we arrived in Amsterdam 3 hours late, very tired and emotionally drained. We did manage to catch up with a few friends briefly who we know from the year we lived in Amsterdam. They have been actively campaigning here on our behalf with poster distribution, contacting media and liasing with companies to get advertising space for large posters of Madeleine.
Day 33 - 05/06/2007 - Tuesday
Gerry Birthday
Day33
Fruit Flan
Day33
Grandma & Granddad
Day 33
Trish & Sandy
Day 33
Met with the Portuguese Police today. It is good to talk face to face especially with so much speculation in the media. Kates parents arrived today to see the kids and us. We managed to spend a couple of hours with them before heading off for Berlin. I had completely forgotten that it is my birthday today, it is anything but a happy one. However Sean and Amelie made me a birthday card on behalf of them and Madeleine and Trisha made a fruit flan. We sang happy birthday and blew the candles out together which Sean and Amelie really enjoyed. They were really happy to see Grandma and Grandad, whom they are used to seeing every few weeks in England. Kates parents have been a huge help to us, especially since the twins were born, often driving down to Leicestershire for the weekend to help with the kids. This has been really important when I have been on-call at weekends and Kate would have been left looking after the three of them on her own. Trisha would often fly down to help when she had a few days off or when her and Sandy were en route to Cambridge. It makes us feel better knowing that we are leaving Sean and Amelie with very close loved ones whilst we are away on this short trip to appeal for further information and raise awareness of Madeleine’s disappearance. Arrived in Berlin. Another busy programme tomorrow with TV, press, and politicians to see and then straight on to Amsterdam for more of the same. It all helps in the search for Madeleine.
Day 32 - 04/06/2007 - Monday
Green & Yellow
T-Shirts
Day 32
Crime watch
Day32
Busier day today with travel arrangements for Berlin and Amsterdam finalised. Leaving tomorrow night and coming back Thurs afternoon. It will be a very busy schedule similar to Madrid. On Thurs night there is a music festival in aid of Madeleine in nearby Lagos which we will be attending. Tonigh, we were interviewed for Crimeatch which will be shown on BBC1 tomorrow night. This was a very good opportunity to recap on all the information which is in the public domain and re-emphasise the appeal, especially since the description of a suspect seen carrying a child was released by the Portuguese police after the initial British appeal. As well as some reports from Crimewatch, you may see a picture of me in a green and yellow find Madeleine t-shirt in tomorrow’s paper. The t-shirts were brought over by Phil and later on I thought better about wearing it around the resort she was taken from. I am sure all the people who have chosen to continue their holliday here, rather than take an alternative location, know about Madeleine’s disappearance and don’t need a further reminder.
Day 31 - 03/06/2007 - Sunday
Huge Inflatable Banner Day 31
Blog lifted Day 31
Was encouraged to learn of the large volume of information which has come through the Leicester incident room following the appeal. Hopefully the Portuguese police will have had a good reponse also and we hope to meet with them in the next couple of days for an update. Chris and Les, who travelled over with the huge inflatable banner which has been positioned near the Spanish border, are heading home today. They were very happy that the director of the Algarve tourist board allowed them to put it up in private property owned by them, with thousands of cars passing every hour and seeing Madeleine’s image and details of her disappearance and reward. Sunday papers have reported our interviews virtually verbatim but vey disappointed that the blog was lifted almost in entirety by one newspaper yesterday after expressly forbidding such an approach! The blog is to keep people visiting the website up to date
with our progress in the campaign to find Madeleine.
Day 30 - 02/06/2007 - Saturday
Beach Day 30
Relatively quiet day. Did manage to repsond to some e-mails regarding campaign issues with some excellent ideas coming through. We did visit a local beach with Sean, Amelie and the rest of the family who are here and managed to get a bite to eat. Having a huge number of media reuests in but want these to be very focussed in areas that will have clear benefits in the search for Madeleine. We did do a German TV and newspaper interview which wiil be released tomorrow to incraese awareness ahead of our planned visit to Berlin later this week. Most of the Sunday newspapers will carry some of the interview as a British reporter sat in and asked a few more quetions related to the campaign strategy.
Day 29 - 01/06/2007 - Friday
Crime watch Day29
With the help of the British Embassy we had a very busy day. First of all we had a short briefing from the ambassador and her staff. We then had a series of meetings with: multiple non-governmental agencies involved in child welfare, did a TV programme akin to Crimewatch focussing on Madeleine’s disappearance, a press conference which was well attended, a couple of short US news channel interviews with European coverage and finally met with the Spanish Minister for the Interior (Home Secretary equivalent). We left Madrid feeling as if the Spanish were treating Madeleine’s disappearance like one of their own.
Meanwhile in Portugal Phil arrived with thousands of posters in different languages. Most of these have been delivered to the Irish centre at Fatima and more at Lisbon airport. Planning a family day tomorrow. Will weigh up next phase of the search over the weekend.
Day 28 - 31/05/2007 - Thursday
Madrid Day 28
Press conference in Rome went very well giving us an excellent forum to ask for help in the search for Madeleine. We told people about the website, how to download posters and ask people to print them and take on holiday wherever they are.
We arrived in Madrid late last night and have a series of meetings arranged with government and non government agencies concerned with child welfare. We will also be hosting a press conference again to raise general awareness of Madeleine´s disappearance and ask for the public´s help in our search for Madeleine. We may also do a few very short interviews for US news stations which are widely broadcast in Europe, N.Africa and Asia, particularly in English speaking hotels and other outlets. Will update after meetings.
Day 27 - 30/05/2007 - Wednesday
POPE
Days 25-26-27
UMBRELLA
Day 27
Continental Breakfast
Day 27
Today has gone as well as we could possibly imagine.
We woke around 7.15am and got ourselves ready. There was a lovely continental breakfast prepared but both Kate and I ate very little due to nerves. We left the Embassy just after 9.00am and stopped en route to the Vatican, at Piazza Pia for a photo opportunity with St Peters in the distance. I made a very short statement regarding our forthcoming visit and expressed my gratitude to Francis Campbell, the British Ambassador to the Vatican, and his staff for making us feel as if we were part of their family.
We arrived in plenty of time for the Papal audience and were delighted to find we were seated in the ‘Prima Fila’- the first row. Clarence, Francis and Monsingneur Charlie Burns, a colourful Glaswegian who teaches at the seminary and looks after the Ambassador’s spiritual well being were seated immediately behind us. It was extremely sunny and I have to admit that Kate and I were struggling somewhat with the heat in our dark suits but Francis rescued us with an umbrella and some water and following that some heavy cloud rolled in, cooling us down.
The atmosphere in St Peter’s square was almost carnival like with up to 35,000 people there to see the Pope. He did not disappoint, driving slowly around the crowd in his open jeep, waving cheerfully. We were sombre in contrast given that we were there to ask Benedict to pray for Madeleine, although I am sure others were also there to get blessings for their loved ones. After this the Pontiff took his seat in front of approximately 30 cardinals, bishops and priests. One of the priests, Father Daniel Gallagher from the US, came up to us before the service and said some very kind words; that he was praying and everyone was praying for Madeleine daily.
The service started with a series of addresses from priests representing the various French, German, Italian, English, Spanish and Polish speaking congregations present. Each parish represented was mentioned and various bands, mainly German, played short pieces and a few choirs sang a verse and the large Polish contingent priests seated behind us wearing large yellow scarves tied like ribbons around theirs necks sang 3 or 4! At the end of this preamble the priest stated that the Pope was happy to tell us he was praying for the congregation, our families, our children and those who were suffering. These words seemed so poignant in the light of Madeleine’s abduction and naturally both Kate and I were, naturally, very emotional. The Pope’s actual address seemed to pass in a blur and I am looking forward to reading the actual transcript as I can remember very little of the actual words.
Following the completion of the Papal address in the different languages, Benedict individually greeted the other clergy on the dias. During this period Father Gallagher presented us with a small gift to remind us that he would pray daily for Madeleine and a cardinal also expressed similar sentiments. The Pope took approximately 20 minutes to meet other people in the Prima Fila before reaching us. It felt as if time stood still for a moment when the Pope looked into our faces and there was almost instant recognition and a change in his expression. He said he would pray for us, our family and Madeleine. Kate passed him a photograph of Madeleine and he blessed this and would pray for her safe returning. The meeting was more personal than we could have imagined given the number of people there and will help us sustain our hope and determination to find Madeleine.
The press conference followed shortly afterwards and was very well attended. We will give more details tomorrow as we are very tired following our visit and hope to get an early night before planning our next trip.
Day 26 - 29/05/2007 - Tuesday
Uncle Sandy & Aunt Trish Cameron
Day 26
Clarence Mitchell
Day 26
POPE
Days 25-26-27
NEW BEDS
Day 26
We have been preoccupied with preparation for our audience with the Pope tomoorow morning. This morning was spent acquiring some appropriate dress for the meeting since we had only holiday clothes with us in Portugal. Clarence has been inundated with calls regarding the visit to Rome and done most of the organisation behind the scenes.
It has been very difficult to leave Sean and Amelie but it is only for one nght and we will be back to see them before bedtime tomorrow. Trish and Sandy (Madeleine’s Godparents) who have been with us in Portugal since Day 2 are looking after them and we were surprised to hear they were tucked up in bed by 7.30pm- they must like their new beds!
The flight to Rome passed extremely quickly and some footage was taken for TV. We did a couple of short interviews for the British and Portuguesae press about our feelings regarding the trip. Under normal circumstances we would be extremely excited about meeting the Pope, but as we are here as a result of Madeleine’s abduction the circumstances are very different. We expect to receive a great spiritual lift, especially if we get to speak to the Pontiff personally. After the audience we will be holding a short press conference in the British Embassy to the Vatican to talk about our campaign to publicise Madeleine’s disappearance and of course, our audience with the Pope.
Frncis Campbell, the British ambassador to the Holy See, and his staff picked us at the airport and brought us directly to the Embassy residences near the city centre. We have been made to feel completely at ease and almost as if we are part of a small family here, which has helped ease our tangible nerves, not unsurprising given the importance of tomorrow’s meeting. We are now retiring and will be saying our usual prayers for Madeleine’s safe return
DAY 26 - 29/05/2007
4th- OFFICIAL WEBSITE REGISTERED AS
www.cuddlecat.org.uk - LINKED TO
www.cuddlecat.co.uk - LINKED TO
www.findmadeleine.com - LINKED TO
www.bringmadeleinehome.com
Day 25 - 28/05/2007 - Monday
Philip Green
Day 25
POPE
Days 25-26-27
COTS
Day 25
CAMPAIGN
Day 25 -
Confirmation arrived this evening that we are to attend the Vatican and a service with The Pope. It is likely we will be seated in the front row and may have an opportunity to speak with the Holy Father and ask for prayers for Madeleine. This is a hugely important visit both personally, for Kate and I, but also for the wider campaign to publicise Madeleine’s disappearance. The trip has been facilitated through Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and we will be receiving assistance from the British Embassy whilst in Rome. On this occasion because of the short notice and the relatively early time of the service we have accepted the kind offer of the use of Sir Philip Green’s personal jet, which will help get us home quickly after our Papal visit to see the twins before their bedtime. We will be accompanied by a small group of media who are still with us in Praia da Luz and, as usual all the material will be available to all the British press and broadcasters equally. For all trips we are assessing whether commercial flights can get us to our destination and back to Portugal quickly. This will NOT be a Tour- it is a series of very brief visits with the specific aim of raising awareness and we aim to get back here as quickly as possible.
We have decided that for the majority of trips it will not be practicable, or fair, to take Sean and Amelie with us. They have an established routine which we do not want to disrupt and will be looked after by very close family. Tonight for the first time they have gone to sleep in their own single beds, rather than cots, now that another two of our family have gone home. We were planning to turn their cots at home into beds after our 1 week holiday but obviously this has been delayed with Madeleine’s abduction. We have been in Praia da Luz for over 4 weeks and Sean and Amelie’s development from toddlers to little boy and girl continues. Madeleine will really notice the difference when she sees them!
Some of you may have seen on the news the huge inflatable billboard which has travelled all the way from the West of Scotland to Portugal which will be used near busy roads/motorways to keep Madeleine’s disappearance high profile. We had a brief chat with Chris and Les, who drove almost non-stop from Glasgow to get here. The extraordinary length ordinary people are going to help us is truly overwhelming. We thank everyone for their efforts, no matter how small, and we know this will make a difference in our search for Madeleine.
Day 24 - 27/05/2007 - Sunday
RUN
Day 24
AIRPORT VIDEO
Click picture to view video
Day 24
CAMPAIGN
Day 24
COTS
Day 24
POPE
Days 24
KIDS CLUB
Day 24
Strange day after all the activity during the week. Kate and I started off with an early morning run to the the top of the nearby cliffs. Sean and Amelie were back in kids club and went swimming again. The rest of us attended mass which was very emotional as a priest from RAF Lossiemouth was visiting and further prayers were said for Madeleine. Father Zee-Manuel has also rigged up a powerpoint display projecting a large photograph of Madeleine on to the wall, which he is very proud of and reminds us of the beautiful little girl we are missing so terribly.
There have been some requests for more information ‘about Madeleine’ and this section will be updated very soon. We will also be releasing a very short video of Madeleine taken at the Airport on the day we left for Portugal, Saturday 28 April. Sean and Amelie went to the beach this afternoon with mummy, auntie Trisha and Anne but daddy stayed in the apartment catching up on campaign e-mails, making calls and liaising with Clarence our press officer. The resort is much busier again as it is half-term and there are definitely less journalists here. Many of them have been here since the beginning and are making this journey with us.
The couple of Sunday articles we read did not cover much of what we talked about and seemed to get some of the other stuff wrong! We stated that Sean and Amelie are sleeping in our room (in separate cots) because of other family staying with us and that we were trying to treat them as normal and not be overprotective. This came out that we were so protective we have to have them sleeping in our bed! These inaccuracies are not important in our search for Madeleine and the next phase is being planned currently.
It looks like our planned trips to other European cities will start off in Rome after we learned today that the Pope has been following Madeleine’s abduction closely. There is a reasonable chance we may get a chance to meet the Pontiff and that he will pray for Madeleine. Such a visit would generate huge publicity regarding the family campaign to find Madeleine and will also give Kate and I a great spiritual lift. It will also raise the awareness of missing and abused children generally. We continue to pray that someone will provide the key information that leads us to Madeleine.
Day 23 -26/05/2007 - Saturday
Clarence Mitchell
Day 23
HAIRCUT TWINS
Day 23
FUND
Day 23
First TV interviews
Day23
Yesterday was relatively quiet although we did meet the British ambassador and the senior British Police Officer who has been working here in Portugal on the case. This was a productive meeting. There was a flurry of activity amongst the media here stating the family was openly critical of the Portuguese policed which was not true. We did our best to dampen this down but a couple of papers carried stories with our ‘frustration’ with the investigation rather than what we said it was frustrating that 3 weeks down the line we still have not got Madeleine back. This would be the case which ever country we were in. Some of you may have noticed that Sean and Amelie did manage to squeeze in a hair cut!
Today was extremely busy and tiring. We met with our press officer Clarence Mitchell, to discuss strategy for the fortcoming interviews. Kate attended a luncheon in aid of International Missing Child day and John, my brother, attended a similar event in London. After this John and Brian Kennedy, Kate’s uncle, who are both directors of Madeleine’s fund appointed an interim fund manager. We are now actively looking for a campaign manager who will be needed once our government press officer disappears.
The interviews were our first for TV and we were happy how they went. We did 10 min interviews for Sky, BBC, ITV, Portuguese TV/radio and one for the press association. A shorter interview with GM TV will be shown on Monday morning along with stuff from our fabulous web team. The interviewers were very kind but did not shirk from asking us some extremely difficult questions. We answered them all and although painful will allow us to move on in our search for Madeleine. Importantly, shortly after our interviews finished the Portuguese Police held a press conference and gave details of man they would like to interview who was seen carrying a child on the night of Madeleine’s disappearance. We have not had a transcript of what was said but this is an encouraging development and hopefully will result in further calls to the police with information from people who were in Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleine’s abduction. We remain very optimistic that the criminal investigation will lead to Madeleine’s safe return but we need everyone to be alert and vigilant to any suspicious activity.
Tomorrow will be a family day. We are doing a photo-shoot with the twins for the Sunday newspapers in the morning but will involve stuff that we want to do with them anyway. We also need to recharge our batteries after what has been a very busy week.
DAY 23 6/05/2007
3rd - OFFICIAL WEBSITE REGISTERED AS
www.cuddlecat.co.uk - LINKED TO
www.findmadeleine.com - LINKED TO
www.bringmadeleinehome.com
Domain tools
Day 22: 25/05/2007- Friday No Update
Day 21- 24/05/2007 - Thursday
FATIMA
Day 20-21
OLD SITE
21-SCREENSHOT
2nd version
24 May 2007
Today Kate and I went to the Shrine at Fatima to pray for Madeleine´s safe return. It was another early start leaving at 6.30am. Mark Warner, who have looked after us so well, laid on a car and driver. We managed to continue the campaign with telephone conversations and e-mails. The actual visit was veryencouraging with the rector and thousands of pilgrims praying for Madeleine as well Kate and I. We lit candles for Madeleine and also 3 for Madeleine’s grandparents.
The trip received a lot of publicity which should help maintain the profile of her abduction. We are planning a relatively quiet day tomoorow although the British Ambaasador is coming to visit and we need to start finalising our plans for interviews in areas of Europe where the coverage of Madeleine’s disappaerance has been limited.
Day 20 - 23/05/2007 Wednesday
FATIMA
Day 20-21
CAMPAIGN
Day 20
OLD SITE
20-SCREENSHOT
1st Version
23 May 2007
Today Kate and I went to the Shrine at Fatima to pray for Madeleine´s safe return. It was another early start leaving at 6.30am. MarkWarner, who have looked after us so well, laid on a car and driver. We managed to continue the campaign with telephone conversations and e-mails. The actual visit was very encouraging with the rector and thousands of pilgrims praying for Madeleine as well Kate and I. We lit candles for Madeleine and also 3 for Madeleine’s grandparents. The trip received a lot of publicity
which should help maintain the profile of her abduction.We are planning a relatively quiet day tomoorow
although the British Ambaasador is coming to visit and we need to start finalising our plans for interviews in areas of Europe where the coverage of Madeleine’s disappaerance has been limited.
Day 19 - 22/05/2007 Tuesday No Entry
Day 18 - 21/05/2007 Monday No Entry
Day 17 - 20/05/2007 Sunday
A Day to day life for the McCann's
Our day starts around 6.30am with us all waking up around the same time. We have breakfast with Sean and Amelie and our close family/friends who are here with us. Then its clean nappies and clothes for Sean and Amelie followed by showers etc for the rest of us.
Usually there’s some free time then for a few stories or games with the twins before heading out.
KIDS CLUB
9.00-9.15 We take Sean and Amelie to Kids’ Club. They really enjoy it and run in.
They know the staff well and the staff are all excellent. Both love the domestic corner and Amelie particularly likes to look after ‘babies’. We use the kids club a bit like nursery at home but we think Sean and Amelie still think they are on holiday!
9.30~12.15. We return to the apartments, usually for a series of meetings with our press officer, Mark Warner Reps, occasionally Consulate staff, lawyers and British Liaison officers. During this time we catch up with family and close friends, usually by telephone and discuss ideas how to keep Madeleine’s profile high especially throughout continental Europe.
12.30 Time to pick up Sean and Amelie from Kids’ club then head back to apartment for lunch, which has usually been prepared by one of our family/friends group who have been tremendously supportive.
13.30 –14.30 This is time to spend time playing with the twins either in the apartment or in the play area next to kids club.
14.30-15.00 Usually we take the twins back to Kids’ Club although Sean has had the odd afternoon in the apartment as it’s a bit cooler and he’s not much of a sun worshipper! They have been taking part in many different activities including painting, singing, stories, swimming, trips to the beach and they have lots of toys to play with.
15.00~17.00 We try to get some time together alone, going for a walk to talk things over or getting some exercise. This is often the time for quiet trips to the church for prayers.
Pasta & Vegetables
17.00-17.30 Meet kids for high tea with other mums and dads. They love pasta and have been doing really well with their vegetables although a few chips have been squeezed in.
17.30-18.30. Games with kids at play area. Amelie loves trying to get in the baby pool!
18.30-19.30 Bath and story time with the twins.
20.00 We put the kids to bed.
20.30-23.00 We try to sit down for a family meal, again usually cooked by one of the small family group out here with us. Chat about the day’s events and plan the next day
23.30 bed and prayer for Madeleine that she will be returned to us safely
RUNNING
ASAP.
In addition to above we try to attend various church services
during the week, and make multiple phone calls to family and
friends. We try to watch the main news
early morning and late evening but have had almost no time
to read
the newspapers or even look at the pictures!
Kate is a keen runner and in the last few days has tried to include a run in the
daily routine. Yesterday (Sat) at 7am we ran to the monument at the top of the steep cliff overlooking Praia de
Luz. We reached it in 19 minutes.
OLD SITE
SCREENSHOT
OLD SITE
SCREENSHOT
The entry" A Day to day life for the McCann's" does not have a date on the screenshots. However if you check the Sunday Mirror link it confirms that it was Sunday 20-05-07 Day 17: Although the Sunday Mirror says it is Day 18: which would have made it Monday MIRROR 20-05-07
Day 16 - 19/05/2007 Saturday
OLD SITE DAY 16
SCREENSHOT
Website Update at 19:18PM on 19th of May 2007
97 Million hits!
Fund Update
Latest Update - ITV News
Madeleine parents believe she is safe
The parents of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann said they had taken "tremendous strength" from the "warmth and spiritual outpouring" from all around the world.
Gerry and Kate McCann issued a brief statement from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz 11 days after their little girl disappeared from their hotel room.
The pair said they were "fully supporting" the police investigation into their daughter's abduction and reaffirmed their belief that their daughter is safe.
Mr McCann said: "Until there is concrete evidence to the contrary, we believe Madeleine is safe and is being looked after".
Madeleine's mother also emphasised that the couple had no intention of returning to Britain from Portugal in the immediate future.
A British legal team has flown to Praia da Luz to help them and has launched a special "fighting fund" to help in the hunt for Madeleine.
A statement from the International Family Law Group, the firm instructed by the McCanns, said details of how people could make donations would be released within days.
A QC, Michael Nicholls, has also been instructed by the family as their determined battle to find Madeleine enters another week.
Madeleine's uncle John McCann, who lives in Glasgow but was in Praia da Luz last week, said the lawyers would play a liaison role and would not interfere with the criminal investigation.
A spokesman for the International Family Law Group said yesterday: "Gerry and Kate are very grateful for all the support and generous offers of help that they are receiving.
"Details of how contributions can be made to help get Madeleine back to the safety of her own family will be made available in the next couple of days."
The McCanns were among around ten British people who have been re-interviewed by police in recent days to clarify their statements.
This week some of the witnesses are expected to appear in court behind
closed doors to record their evidence before they go back to the UK. The McCanns themselves are not expected to be asked to take part.
The procedure, known as "memory for the future", means taped statements can be shown during a future trial so the witnesses do not have to return to appear in court.
Day 15 - 18/05/2007 Friday No Entry
Day 14 - 17/05/2007 Thursday No Entry
Day 13 - 16/05/2007 Wednesday
2nd - OFFICIAL WEBSITE REGISTERED AS
www.findmadeleine.com LINKED TO
www.bringmadeleinehome.com
Reuters
Day 12 - 15/05/2007 Tuesday No Entry
Day 11 - 14/05/2007 Monday No Entry
Day 10 - 13/05/2007 Sunday No Entry
Day 09 - 12/05/2007 Saturday
MADELEINE'S BIRTHDAY STATEMENT FROM MARK WARNER HOLIDAYS ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MCCANN FAMILY
8am Saturday 12th of May 2007
Madeleine's 4th Birthday
Day 08 - 11/05/2007 Friday No Entry
Day 07 - 10/05/2007 Thursday No Entry
Day 06 - 09/05/2007 Wednesday
1st - OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHED AS
www.bringmadeleinehome.com
Reuters
Day 05 - 08/05/2007 Tuesday No Entry
Day 04 - 07/05/2007 Monday
Statement read by Kate McCann given today
Monday 7 May at 2pm
Day 03 - 06/05/2007 Sunday No Entry
Day 02 - 05/05/2007
Saturday No Entry
Day 01 - 04/05/2007 Friday
TELEGRAPH 04-05-07- 12.01 AM
May 4th 2007 McCanns moved into apartment 4A
03.05.2007 Thursday Madeleine Beth McCann disappeared from the family Holiday apartment in Praia da Luz. Kate McCann raised the alarm at 10pm.
SOURCE: PAMALAM
I am placing the blogs here in case Pam is forced to close her BLOG.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
STATEMENT: Paul Anthony Gordon
Mr.Gordon would have been the perfect back drop to the McCanns abduction. Mr.Gordon admits pressure from Team McCann and placed an official complaint with the police., we can be truly thankful to Mr.Gordon, for he is a decent person, otherwise we would have had another Gail Cooper on our hands. Mr.Gordon ,the only one to not make money from the death of Madeleine McCann.05- Cartas rogatoria 5 Pages 36 to 39
cr5_36
cr5_37
cr5_38
Leicestershire Police Force
Witness Account
Statement by Paul Anthony Gordon
Occupation: Accountant
Date : 24th April 2008
CARTAS ROGATORIAS (FILE 5)
Pages 36 to 38
Witness statement of Paul Anthony Gordon (former holiday
maker in Apartment 5A) 2008.04.24
NOTE: There is no word "tenhos". It should either be "tenho" [I have] or
"temos" [we have].
Not being certain, I omitted the personal pronoun in my translation.
Testimony from Pa.Go
Age if less than 18 years:
Occupation: Accounting Technician
This statement (consisting of 4 pages and signed by me) is true and in
line with my understanding. I depose being aware that, given proof to
the contrary, I will be subject to prosecution in the case I had
voluntarily testified to something I know to be false or does not
correspond to the truth.
Date: April 24, 2008
Signature ______________________________________________
I am married to Sal and [SEE NOTE ABOVE] have two children, our son xxxxxxx of three
years of age and our daughter xxxxxxx of two years of age. We have lived
at our present address since July 2007.
We took the decision to take a family holiday before we changed home.
Sal did a search of places to vacation and found the place to go in
Portugal - in the village of Mark Warner. We stayed in the same
apartment that the McCann family would come to share, 5A of the Ocean
Club in Praia da Luz.
We travelled directly from Gatwick to Faro on 21 April 2007. We were
transferred from the airport to our accommodation by staff of Mark
The week was quiet, the children went to kindergarten either in the
morning or in part of the afternoon and there was a day that I think
they went all day - but I cannot state this with exactitude. The
children always returned to the apartment at lunchtime for a nap that
usually occurred between 13.00 and 15.00. The children were always in
our company when they were not at the nursery, and frequently we took
them to the beach for an ice cream.
On Wednesday or Thursday the children were sleeping in the apartment and
Sal also was inside - reading a book if I am not mistaken. I was seated
in the paved garden that is facing the area of the pool, when I heard a
male voice say "Hello". The voice came from the gate that leads to the
road on the corner of the apartment and connects to the main reception
area.
I stood up and I went to the man who asked me if I would be interested
to contribute a donation to an orphanage in the interior mountains. I
spoke with him and noticed that he had a badge with identification and
that he had what seemed to me to be a book of receipts.
I thought that either he was genuine or a professional "cheat". It was
then that I entered the apartment and asked Sal where was the money, and
returned with a 10 euro note that I gave to him. I can not say exactly
imagine that I threw away or left in Portugal. At the time I thought the
individual aggressive or having a persistent manner. I felt he was
genuine and it appeared to be for a good cause.
I would describe the man as educated, with good appearance and brought
skin seemed to be tanned [by the sun]. I would say that he was more than
forty years old and 1.77 - 1.80cm in height - that is hard to say with
certainty since I was looking down at him from a higher position.
I would add that the man was robustly built but was not fat. Wearing a
light green polo, trousers and shoes.
After all this time I do not know if he had a slight goatee on the
picture of the identification badge [card] or in person. But in one way
or another I remember him as being clean and shaven and with light
facial hair. I would say that I was with this man 2-3 minutes. The
individual was not seen by the children since they were in bed asleep,
nor seen by Sal since she remained inside while I spoke with him. I had
never seen this man before and saw him no more after that. Apart from
mentioning him to Sal I did not speak again about this man while I was
in Portugal.
The man did not seem to be knocking from door to door and as far as I
remember moved away from from our apartment, walking down hill.
While we were in Portugal there were no incidents worthy of record,
beyond this man that I have described, however there was a time when I
cut myself shaving in the bathroom of the apartment. I would say that
the cut bled for about a 45 minutes and that it took some time until the
cut stopped bleeding, during which period I walked around the apartment
with paper tissues trying to stop the blood. Aside from this, to the
best of my knowledge no one else cut themselves nor did anyone die in
the apartment.
During our stay we never left the children alone, other than in the care
and supervision of the nursery staff. We felt safe and there was no
reason for concerns.
I was satisfied with the care that the children received in the creche
and they were well although they were not our company.
Other than the charity donations collector we had no other visitors nor
did we sense anything strange.
We felt safe in the apartment and at no time was anything was stolen or
missing the apartment.
The doors, windows and shutters were in perfect condition of operation.
There was no sign of the doors, windows and blinds ever having been
broken into, but also there was no need to examine [them]. The front
door had a double lock that was difficult to lock, but we managed to do
it. The patio door did not lock from the outside, only from the inside
of the apartment and for that reason when the family left [went out] we
always used the front door.
We used to open the blinds during the day, returning to close them at
night. When the blinds were [being] closed they made much noise.
[NOTE: Descreverias como tendo um cinto no interior como mecanismo para abrir e
fechar.
You [singular] would have described [something???] as having a belt inside as a
mechanism to open and close.
I think that the single word "Descreverias" should be two words
"Descreveria as" meaning "I would have described them", giving the translation as:
I would have described them [the blinds] as having a belt inside as a mechanism
to open and close [them].
Possibly, on some occasions, Sal and I even used the patio door as a
passage way, generally when we were at the pool and needed to return.
Regarding the couch I do not remember where it was positioned in the
room. I would say that it was next to the wall to prevent children from
walking around it, but beyond saying that it was blue, I can not affirm
anything else.
The children slept in the bedroom facing the car park - the window had a
patio. Whoever entered from the patio, our bedroom would be on the [to
their] left.
[NOTE: He is saying that the master bedroom had French windows that gave
access to/from the veranda; he is not saying that the sliding patio door
in the lounge was in his bedroom.]
Generally we took breakfast at the Millennium restaurant, lunch in
apartment and dinner at Millennium, dining only on two occasions in the
Tapas Bar - on the second day and the sixth day.
[NOTE: Given the day-of-week naming in Portugal this last phrase is potentially ambiguous
and the original Portuguese (or English) needs to be checked.]
I remember there [having been] a limit to the number of times we could
eat meals at Tapas, but we managed to do it twice. The children always
accompanied us during dinner and for that reason we tried to do it at
the earliest possible time so that they could return to sleep at a
reasonable hour.
At no time did we leave our children alone.
When we finished the holiday (on 28 April 2007) our luggage was taken to
the reception, where I delivered the keys and I settled the account. We
were transported to the airport by Mark Warner and returned to Gatwick
the same day.
To the best of my knowledge I never met the McCann family and never
delivered the key to anyone other than the staff of Mark Warner.
The holidays were good, the children enjoyed themselves at the nursery
and we had no worries of any kind while they were there. The resort was
affordable and was well located. Our opinion has changed only after the
disappearance of Madeleine.
I want to add that since January this year I have received numerous
phone calls, messages and visits from the press regarding the collector
of donations, which in turn put me in contact with other people such as
Brian Kennedy, Kate and Gerry McCann. I feel that this is a constraint
that makes it difficult to take the more correct decision.
I tried always to cooperate with the police in every way possible,
telephoning them at the first available opportunity as soon as the news
broke about the disappearance of Madeleine. There are certain times when
I feel like a pawn in chess.
This testimony was prepared by me and is true and according to my knowledge.
=======================
TRANSLATION BY ALBYM
39 Witness statement of Paul Anthony Gordon (former holidayer in Apartment 5A) 2008.05.01
CARTAS ROGATORIAS (FILE 5)
Page 39
cr5_39
Witness statement of Paul Anthony Gordon (former holiday
maker in Apartment 5A) 2008.04.24
Statement of: Paul Anthony Gordon
Age if less than 18 years:
Occupation: Sales Mediator
This statement (consisting of 4 pages and signed by me) is true and in
line with my understanding. I depose being aware that, given proof to
the contrary, I will be subject to prosecution in the case I had
voluntarily testified to something I know to be false or does not
correspond to the truth.
Date: 1 May 2008
Signature ______________________________________________
Following my statement of Thursday, 24 April 2008, it has been granted to me today the
opportunity to read mu original statement, dated 6 May 2007. Present are DC 1485 Messiah
and DC 4064 Holliday of the Leicestershire Constabulary.
After having read the statement I can confirm that the time at which I saw the collector
of donations was around 14h30 and 15h00, and as stated previously the children would sleep
[take an after lunch nap; siesta] in the apartment generally between 13h00 and 15h00 daily.
I would say that I spoke with the individual before they woke up.
From memory I would say that this was on the Wednesday or the Thursday of our holidays in
Praia da Luz in 2007..
SOURCE: PAMALAM.
Martin Smith and Family Statements
Date of Diligence: 2007.05.06
Location: DIC Portimao
Name: MARTIN SMITH
The witness states:
' That he comes to the process as a witness.
' Being of Irish nationality, he does not understand Portuguese in its written or oral form and is accompanied by an interpreter.
' That he has an apartment in Luz, Lagos, located in the Estela da Luz Urbanizaco, A1C. This apartment is co-owned by a friend whose name is Li** ON****. He normally visits Portugal three times a year. When here, he stays in the apartment. Concerning this period, he states that he arrived in Portugal on the 30th of April, 2007, with a booked return date of May 9, 2007. He arrived at Faro airport and flew out from Dublin.
' Concerning the facts under investigation, on the 3rd of May, he went with his family to the Dolphin restaurant in Praia da Luz where they dined. Around 21H00 they left the restaurant and headed toward 'Kelly's Bar'; about a 50 metre distance from the restaurant, following the path, as it is very short. The walk took him a few minutes. In 'Kelly's Bar' they consumed some drinks. They left that establishment around 21H55 as his son was due to return home very early the next day. This bar is located on Calheta Street.
' After leaving the bar, he travelled in the opposite direction and reached a set of stairs which gave access to Rua 25 de Abril (25th of April Street). On this artery they followed a second street, parallel to Rua 1 de Maio (1st of May Street) whose name he does not remember. He was heading toward his apartment (Estrela da Luz complex) which is located a little above the street that crosses the primary school. As he reached this artery, he crossed an individual holding a child. He notes that it is normal to see people carrying children, especially during the holiday season. This individual was walking the downward path, in the opposite direction. He is not aware where this person was headed. He only saw him as they passed each other. He assumed it was a father and daughter and thought nothing more of it.
' Urged, states that when he passed this individual, it must have been around 22H00. He did not know at the time that a child had disappeared. He only became aware of the disappearance of the child the next morning, from his daughter in Ireland. She had sent him a message or called him regarding what had happened. At this point he thought that MADELEINE could have been the child he saw with the individual.
' Regarding the individual he states that: he was Caucasian, around 175 to 180m in height. He appeared to be about 35/40 years old. He had a normal complexion, a bit on the thin side. His hair was short, in a basic male cut, brown in colour. He cannot state if it was dark or lighter in tone. He did not use glasses and had no beard or moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details partly due to the fact that the lighting was not very good.
' He was wearing cream or beige-coloured cloth trousers in a classic cut. He did not see his shoes and cannot describe the colour or form of the same.
' He states that the child was female, about four years of age as she was similar to his granddaughter of the same age. It was a child of normal complexion, about a metre in height. The child has blonde medium-hued hair, without being very light. Her skin was very white, typical of a Brit. He did not look at her eyes. As she was asleep and her eyelids were closed.
' She was wearing light-coloured pyjamas. He cannot state with certainty the colour. She was not covered by any other cover or sheet. He cannot confirm whether she was barefoot but in his group, they spoke about the child having no cover on her feet.
' Urged, he states that the individual did not appear to be a tourist. He cannot explain this further. It was simply his perception given the individual's clothing. He states that the individual carried the child in his arms, with her head laying on the individual's shoulders to the right of the deponent. He adds that he did not hold the child in a comfortable position.
' Having already seen various photographs of MADELEINE alongside her images on television, states that she may have been the child he saw. He cannot state this as fact but is convinced that it could have been MADELEINE. Indeed, this is the opinion of his family.
' Questioned, says that the individual did not speak nor did the child as she was in a deep sleep.
' States that it is not possible to recognise the individual in person or by photograph.
' Adds that in May and August of 2006, he saw ROBERT MURAT in Praia da Luz bars. On one of these occasions, he was inebriated and spoke to everyone. He did not use glasses at this time. He also states that the individual who carried the child was not ROBERT. He would have recognised him immediately.
' At being asked, states that he was accompanied by his wife, MARY SMITH and his son, PETER SMITH, his daughter-in-law, SIRE, and his grandchildren of 13 and 6 years of age (children of PE***) TA*** and CO**, his daughter AOIFE (12 years of age) and his other two grandchildren (AI****** (10 years old) and EI**** (four years old). These are children of his daughter B***** who was in Ireland.
' States also that when he passed this individual mid-street, traffic is minimal or non-existent.
' He adds that the group passed him some metres away so that they could make out the individual from various distinct positions.
' He has added a sketch indicating the direction of the locale and the sighting.
' He has no other elements to offer the investigation.
' And nothing more was said. He reads and finds it in conformity, ratifies and signs together with the interpreter.
1611 to 1614 Witness testimony of Aoife Smith taken 2007/05/26
6-Processos, Volume VI, pgs. 1611 to 1614
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1611
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1612
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1613
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1614
Date of Diligence: 2007.05.26
Location: This Department
Name: Aoife Smith
The witness states:
' That she comes to the process as a witness.
' Being of Irish nationality, she does not understand Portuguese in its written or oral form and is accompanied by an interpreter.
' States that she arrived on her Portugal holiday on the 30th of April, 2007. She came with her parents Martin and Mary Smith and her two nieces.
' They stayed in the Estrela Da Luz complex in Praia da Luz where her parents have an apartment.
' Her brother Peter was already in the apartment when they arrived as was her sister-in-law, her nephew (six years old), CO** and the son of her sister-in-law, TA*** (13 years old).
' They came with the intention of holidaying for about 10 days. The return passage was booked for May 9, 2007. She is not exactly sure of the date.
' Her holidays were spent in the complex pool, in Praia da Luz and in the central commercial district. Normally, however, they spent a lot of time in Luz villa.
' When dining in the apartment, it was normal for them not to venture out. When they did go to the restaurant, they would stop by Kelly's Bar, situated on Calheta Street.
' Regarding the 3rd of May, 2007, she went, together with the family, to eat at the Dolphin restaurant, which is close to Kelly's Bar. When they left the restaurant around 21H30, they headed toward Kelly's Bar. They stayed there for about 30 minutes.
' Around 22H00, they left Kelly's Bar. The group headed, on foot, for their apartment.
' Questioned, she responds that she knows the time because her brother and father decided to leave early that night. There were two reasons for this: her sister-in-law was not feeling very well and the other reason had to do with her brother, sister-in-law, nephew and son of her sister-in-law, who were catching a flight to Ireland the very next day.
' Upon leaving the bar, they turned right and headed along the road for 40/50 metres. At this point, they again turned to the right and ascended a small street that gives way to stairs. These stairs give access to Rua 25 de Abril. As it was a large group (four adults and five children) they travelled apart from each other along the street with one closer to the front and the others behind. She does not remember how they were separated.
' The deponent remembers that upon reaching the top of the stairs, she looked to her left and saw a man (1) with a child (2) in his arms, walking along the path Rua 25 de Abril. He was walking in their direction at a distance of, give or take, two metres.
' The deponent crossed to the other side of Rua 25 de Abril and began walking on the street that leads to the primary school, in the direction of their apartment complex.
' She did not see if the referenced individual with the child descended the street via the stairs or if he continued via the 25 of Abril street.
' It was the first time she saw that man. She does not remember seeing him at any time in that location.
' She has seen photographs of Madeleine McCann and thinks that it could have been her. She is about 60% certain.
' The below referenced description about the individual was taken around 22H00, when the lighting was weak.
' Questioned, states that she would probably not be able to recognise the individual or the child:
Description:
' (1) the individual was male, Caucasian, light-skinned, between 20/30 years of age, of normal complexion, normal physique, around 180/175 metres in height. At the time she saw him, she did see his face but now cannot remember any detail. She believes that he had a clean-shaven face. She does not remember any tattoos, scars or earrings. She did not look at his ears. His hair was thick-ish, light brown in colour, cut in a short style, short from behind (normal) and a bit longer on the top.
' His trousers were beige in colour, made of cotton, possibly with buttons, and without any other decoration.
' She did not see what he was wearing above his trousers as the child covered him completely from the top.
' She did not notice what shoes he was wearing.
' The individual's gait was normal. He did not look tired and walked normally while carrying the child.
' (2) the child was female . She had straight long hair to the neck. The colour was light/light brown.
' She is certain that the child was about four years old because her niece (who was in the group) is of the same age and same height.
' She did not see the child's face because she was lying against the individual's left shoulder in a vertical position against the individual. She appeared to be sleeping. Her arms were suspended along her body and were not around the individual's neck. She did not look at the child's hands and cannot state the colour of her skin. She believes she was white.
' There was nothing covering the child, a comforter/blanket or any other piece of clothing but she only saw her back.
' She was wearing light trousers, white or rose-coloured that may have been pyjamas. She does not remember if they were patterned as it was dark. The material was light and could have been cotton.
' She also had a light top, with long sleeves. She did not see well because the individual had his arms around the child. She is not sure if the child's top was the same colour as her trousers but the trousers were light.
' Questioned regarding her shoes, she responds that she did not remember seeing any but cannot remember if the child had any or not.
' Urged, affirms that she has finished declaring the truth, according to her knowledge.
' And nothing more was said. Reads and finds it inconformity, ratifies and signs together with her interpreter.
1615 to 1624 Witness Testimony of Peter Daniel Smith taken 2007/05/26 with map of sighting
6-Processos, Volume VI, pgs. 1615 to1624
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1615
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1616
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1617
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1618
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1619
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1620
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1621
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1622
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1623
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1624
Date of Diligence: 2007.05.26
Location: DIC Portimao
Name: PETER DANIEL SMITH
The witness states:
' That he comes to the process as a witness.
' Being of Irish nationality, he does not understand Portuguese in its written or oral form and is accompanied by an interpreter.
' States that his father owns an apartment in the Luz Villa, Lagos, in Estrela da Luz, corresponding to A1C. His father comes to Portugal at least three times per year. This was the deponent's first time to Portugal.
' In that which concerns the period in question, states that he arrived in Portugal on the 26th of April of 2007 and had his return passage booked for the 4th of May of the same year. He arrived at Faro airport via Dublin. This he arrived a few days before his father. He was accompanied by his wife, S***, and his two children TA*** and CO**.
' He would like to clarify that on the 3rd of May, he and the family went to the Dolphin restaurant, situated in Praia da Luz, where they dined. Around 12H00, they left the restaurant and headed toward Kelly's Bar which as about one minute away via foot. In Kelly's Bar (he does not remember the name of the street it is on) they had a few drinks and left there around 21H50/22H00.
' They left the bar, and went up a set of stairs that give access to a road just above. On this road, they walked towards another street (whose name he does not know) and headed for home. At the very start of their journey on this road, the saw an individual holding a child. This individual was walking normally although, in quick steps as he was coming down the street. It appeared to him normal, as if this was father and daughter. He adds that this individual was coming down the street, contrary to the direction of the deponent and his family. He does not know the destination the individual took as he only saw him while crossing the street.
' Urged, states that when he passed this individual it was around 21H55/22H00 and did not know at the time that a child had disappeared. He only found out about the child the next morning from someone he knew in his complex who was also leaving to go home. The deponent went to the airport as he had booked a flight to return home on this day.
' At this time, he did not associate the individual with the disappearance. Only after did he connect the coincidence of the time. From this he supposed that it could have been MADELEINE who was with this individual.
' The description of this individual is as follows: Caucasian, around 175 to 180 metres. He was around 35, or older. He was somewhat tanned as a result of sun exposure. He had a normal complexion, in good form. He had short hair, brown in colour. He does not remember if he used glasses, a beard of a moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details as the lighting was bad.
' He also does not remember the clothing the individual wore or his shoes. He states that he did not look at this detail as his pregnant wife was somewhat ill and he was constantly looking at her to make sure she was okay.
' He states the child was female. She was perhaps two or three years old. She appeared to be a bit smaller than his niece. It was a child with a normal complexion. She had blonde hair, medium in length, not very light. Her skin was white, typically British. He did not look at her eyes as she was asleep and her eyelids were closed.
' He does not remember her clothing very well but believes it was light summer clothin5 light in colour. He does not remember is she was covered in a blanket. He cannot affirm whether she was barefoot.
' Having already seen various photographs of MADELEINE alongside her images on television, states that she may have been the child he saw. He cannot state this as fact but is convinced that it could have been MADELEINE. Indeed, this is the opinion of his family.
' Questioned, states that the individual did not speak nor did the child as she was sleeping deeply. He adds that the individual did not try to hide his face or to look downwards. He did not notice anything strange.
' States that it would not be possible to recognize the individual in person or via photograph.
' At being asked, says that when he saw the individual, the deponent was accompanied by his wife, S***, his father MARTIN, his mother MARY, his children TA*** and CO**, his sister AOIFE and his two nieces AI****** and EI****, children of his sister.
' States also that when he passed the individual, the individual was descending to his right, and went around the deponent in the middle of the street. At that time the traffic was minimal or non-existent..
' He adds that the group was separated by some meters so that they were able to see the individual from various distinct positions.
' He has added a sketch indicating his locale and the sighting.
' Adds also that his son TA*** was questioned in Ireland and told that the individual was wearing a long-sleeved coat, back in colour, and that the child was barefoot.
' He has no other elements to offer the investigation.
' And nothing more was said. Reads and finds it in conformity, ratifies and signs together with her interpreter.
6-Processo 6 Pages 1619 to 1624
MAP 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1619
SMITH SIGHTING 1 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1620
SMITH SIGHTING 2 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1621
SMITH SIGHTING 3 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1622
SMITH SIGHTING 4 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1623
SMITH SIGHTING 5 CLICK TO ENLARGE - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1624
PROCESSO 06
2871 to 2875 Smith Family Memorandum regarding contact with PJ after McCanns return home
11-Processos, Volume XI Page 2871 to 2875
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2871
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2872
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2873
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2874
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2875
From: DC Hughes
Sent: Thursday, 20th September, 2007 15:42
CC: Prior Stuart
Re: FW: Smith Family
This is the Irish family that saw a man transporting a child on the night in question and returned to Portugal to collaborate with the investigation. Martin Smith contacted our department stating that after having observed the McCann family on TV alighting from the plane, he believes that the person he saw carrying the child that night was Gerry McCann. For your information.
DC John Hughes
__________________
From: Long Lindsay
Sent: 20th September, 2007 11:37
CC: Hughes John (DC)
Re: Smith Family
Rec via: TELEPHONE Series: 241 Ident: BC19-8286-1055 20/09/07
Telephone: *********
Locale: Portugal/Out of country
Origin: Mr. Martin Smith 'Ireland
Text: Reported that he passed a male carrying a child in Praia da Luz the night Maddie went missing. Went and made a statement to Portugal police in Portimao on 26th of May and returned to the U.K. Is saying that after seeing McCANNS on the news on 9th of September when they returned to the U.K. He has not slept and is worried sick. He states he was watching the 10 pm news on BBC and saw the McCANNS getting off the plane and coming down the steps. He states it was like watching an action replay of the night he saw the male carrying the child back in Portugal. He states the way Gerry was carrying his twin triggered something in his head. It was exactly the same way and look of the other male seen the night Maddy went missing. He also watched ITV news and SKY news and inferred it looked like the same person both times carrying the children. Is asking a member of the OP Task Force to ring him back. He was with a group of 9 family and friends the night he saw the male in Portugal. He sounded quite shaken and worried whilst speaking to me.
Rec by: TPHONE Serial: 241 Ident:BC19-8286 1055 20/09/07
1101 8286-BC19 Incident linked to 209 26/06/07
1101 8286-BC19 Incident Result ODI: ADMIN DUPLICATE INCIDENT
QNG: QUALIFIER NOT REQUIRED
1101 8286-BC19 Incident Closed
Lindsay Long
Holmes Indexer
Major Crime
Braunstone Police Station
Processos Vol XI Page 2875
Policia Judiciaria
NUIPC 201-070 GALGS
NOTE
On this date I state for the files that at about 12.12 I had telephone contact with the witness Martin Smith, by means of phone number ********* who referred to the communication he made on 20-09-2007 to the British authorities, that confirms his sighting and showing his full availability to travel to Portugal with the aim of making statements and collaborating with this police in all the diligences that could be considered necessary concerning these events.
Portimão, 27th September 2007
Signed
Inspector Paiva
PROCESSO 11
3991 Martin Smith information regarding Gerry McCann on television 2007.11.08
13-Processo Vol XIII Page 3991
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3991
NUIP 201/07 o GALGS
4' Brigada Information
We can infer, from the analysis of the information contained in folios 2871 and 2872, that the statement of Martin Smith, duly identified and filed as folio 1606, reports new elements.
This information alleges that upon catching sight of Gerald McCann on the television news, when he (GM) arrived at the UK and still at the airport, he (GM) appeared to him to be the individual whom he saw on 3rd May in Praia da Luz, carrying a child.
As a result of this and because of the fact of the witness being resident in Ireland, we contacted an officer from the Irish force for the Iberian Peninsula, in Madrid, Bernard Gattney, who took on the task of carrying out the necessary arrangements in order to proceed to a new questioning of Martin Smith.
He was sent by email a copy of the information including the witness statement, and a list of questions to ask him, duly translated into English.
Portimao, 8th November 2007
Inspector
Joao Carlos
3992 Email regarding Smith statement 2007.11.07
3993 to 3994 Portuguese translation of email from Prior re: Smith statement 2007.09.20
13-Processos Vol XIII Page 3992 (in English)
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3992
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3993
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3994
Email sent from Joao Carlos Silva Pereira to Bernard Gattney
8th November 2007
Subject: Martin Smith
Bernard ,
According to our phone contact, I hereby enclose the report on Martin Smith, son of P S and C S, born in Ireland on *****, and an Irish citizen, passport n' *****, home address*****.
Following the enclosed report you are now kindly requested to ask him the following questions:
- Does he confirm the statement he made in Portugal on May 26th 2007'
- Can he describe in detail the individual he saw carrying a child on May 3rd 2007, notwithstanding the fact that he has already made this description in his previous statements' Was this individual alone'
- When and in what mass medium has he seen the news of Gerald McCann going down the plane stairs, and carrying one of his children' (If possible he should be shown the above-mentioned pictures, as well as asked whether he confirms or disconfirms this man was the same individual he saw on May 3rd 2007).
- Was it really Gerry McCann' Is he sure of this fact'
- Does he recognise Gerald McCann from the facial features or from the way he was carrying the child'
- Are his family members, namely the ones who were with him on May 3rd 2007, able to recognise the individual' If yes, do they also identify the individual as being Gerald McCann' (If yes, such family members should also be interviewed with a view to equally answering the above questions).
- Any other possible significant question, whether arising from the answers of Martin Smith to the above questions or that is deemed as relevant, should be equally asked.
3993 to 3994 'Portuguese translation of email from Prior
re: Smith statement 2007.09.20
3995 to 3997 English email re: Smith sighting sent from Stuart Prior
13-Processos Vol XIII Pages 3996 ' 3997 (in English)
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3995
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3996
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3997
Email from John Hughes to DIC Portimao, C.C. to Stuart Prior
20th September 2007
Subject: Fwd Smith family
From Lindsay Long to John Hughes
20th September 2007
Re ' Smith family
Location : Portugal Out of Force Area
Origin: Mr Martin Smith Ireland.
Text: Reported that he had passed a male carrying a child in Praia da Luz the night Maddie went missing. Went and made a statement to Portugal police in Portimao on 26th May and returned to UK. Is saying that after seeing the McCanns on the news on 9th Sept when they returned to UK he has not slept and is worried sick. He states he was watching the 10 PM on BBC and saw the McCanns getting off the plane and coming down the steps. He states it was like watching an action replay of the night he saw the male carrying the child back in Portugal. He states the way Gerry was carrying his twin triggered something in his head. It was exactly the same way and look of the male seen the night Maddie went missing . He also watched ITV news and Sky news and inferred it looked like the same person both times carrying the children.
Is asking a member of OP task ring him back. He was with group of 9 family and friends the night he saw the male in Portugal. He sounded quite worried and shaken whilst speaking to me
Title: Info on Maddie
PROCESSO 13
4134 Cover of fax re: Dublin correspondence (English)
4135 to 4139 Additional statement from Martin Smith 2008.01.30 (English)
4140 Email
16-Processos, Volume XVI, pg 4134 to 439
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4134
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4135
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4136
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4137
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16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4139
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4140
Detective Branch
Drogheda
County Lough
Re ' Investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann
I took an additional statement from Mr Smith as requested. His wife does not want to make another statement. I showed him the video clip and he stated that it was not the clip that alerted him but the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007.
He has been contacted by numerous tabloid press looking for stories. He has been contacted by Mr Brian Kennedy who is supporting the McCann family to take part in a photo fit exercise. He has given no stories or helped in any photo fits. He sent a solicitor's letter to six papers in relation material that was printed that was misquoted. The Evening Herald paid his solicitor's fees and all papers printed an apology. His photograph appeared in another tabloid paper and this matter is being pursued at the moment.
I do not believe that Martin Smith is courting the press and my view his is a genuine person. He is known locally and is a very decent person.
Forwarded please
Sergeant
Liam Hogan
I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if i state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10' in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct.
DROGHEDA IND 08-08-07 Drogheda family.
SOURCE: PAMALAM
Location: DIC Portimao
Name: MARTIN SMITH
The witness states:
' That he comes to the process as a witness.
' Being of Irish nationality, he does not understand Portuguese in its written or oral form and is accompanied by an interpreter.
' That he has an apartment in Luz, Lagos, located in the Estela da Luz Urbanizaco, A1C. This apartment is co-owned by a friend whose name is Li** ON****. He normally visits Portugal three times a year. When here, he stays in the apartment. Concerning this period, he states that he arrived in Portugal on the 30th of April, 2007, with a booked return date of May 9, 2007. He arrived at Faro airport and flew out from Dublin.
' Concerning the facts under investigation, on the 3rd of May, he went with his family to the Dolphin restaurant in Praia da Luz where they dined. Around 21H00 they left the restaurant and headed toward 'Kelly's Bar'; about a 50 metre distance from the restaurant, following the path, as it is very short. The walk took him a few minutes. In 'Kelly's Bar' they consumed some drinks. They left that establishment around 21H55 as his son was due to return home very early the next day. This bar is located on Calheta Street.
' After leaving the bar, he travelled in the opposite direction and reached a set of stairs which gave access to Rua 25 de Abril (25th of April Street). On this artery they followed a second street, parallel to Rua 1 de Maio (1st of May Street) whose name he does not remember. He was heading toward his apartment (Estrela da Luz complex) which is located a little above the street that crosses the primary school. As he reached this artery, he crossed an individual holding a child. He notes that it is normal to see people carrying children, especially during the holiday season. This individual was walking the downward path, in the opposite direction. He is not aware where this person was headed. He only saw him as they passed each other. He assumed it was a father and daughter and thought nothing more of it.
' Urged, states that when he passed this individual, it must have been around 22H00. He did not know at the time that a child had disappeared. He only became aware of the disappearance of the child the next morning, from his daughter in Ireland. She had sent him a message or called him regarding what had happened. At this point he thought that MADELEINE could have been the child he saw with the individual.
' Regarding the individual he states that: he was Caucasian, around 175 to 180m in height. He appeared to be about 35/40 years old. He had a normal complexion, a bit on the thin side. His hair was short, in a basic male cut, brown in colour. He cannot state if it was dark or lighter in tone. He did not use glasses and had no beard or moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details partly due to the fact that the lighting was not very good.
' He was wearing cream or beige-coloured cloth trousers in a classic cut. He did not see his shoes and cannot describe the colour or form of the same.
' He states that the child was female, about four years of age as she was similar to his granddaughter of the same age. It was a child of normal complexion, about a metre in height. The child has blonde medium-hued hair, without being very light. Her skin was very white, typical of a Brit. He did not look at her eyes. As she was asleep and her eyelids were closed.
' She was wearing light-coloured pyjamas. He cannot state with certainty the colour. She was not covered by any other cover or sheet. He cannot confirm whether she was barefoot but in his group, they spoke about the child having no cover on her feet.
' Urged, he states that the individual did not appear to be a tourist. He cannot explain this further. It was simply his perception given the individual's clothing. He states that the individual carried the child in his arms, with her head laying on the individual's shoulders to the right of the deponent. He adds that he did not hold the child in a comfortable position.
' Having already seen various photographs of MADELEINE alongside her images on television, states that she may have been the child he saw. He cannot state this as fact but is convinced that it could have been MADELEINE. Indeed, this is the opinion of his family.
' Questioned, says that the individual did not speak nor did the child as she was in a deep sleep.
' States that it is not possible to recognise the individual in person or by photograph.
' Adds that in May and August of 2006, he saw ROBERT MURAT in Praia da Luz bars. On one of these occasions, he was inebriated and spoke to everyone. He did not use glasses at this time. He also states that the individual who carried the child was not ROBERT. He would have recognised him immediately.
' At being asked, states that he was accompanied by his wife, MARY SMITH and his son, PETER SMITH, his daughter-in-law, SIRE, and his grandchildren of 13 and 6 years of age (children of PE***) TA*** and CO**, his daughter AOIFE (12 years of age) and his other two grandchildren (AI****** (10 years old) and EI**** (four years old). These are children of his daughter B***** who was in Ireland.
' States also that when he passed this individual mid-street, traffic is minimal or non-existent.
' He adds that the group passed him some metres away so that they could make out the individual from various distinct positions.
' He has added a sketch indicating the direction of the locale and the sighting.
' He has no other elements to offer the investigation.
' And nothing more was said. He reads and finds it in conformity, ratifies and signs together with the interpreter.
1611 to 1614 Witness testimony of Aoife Smith taken 2007/05/26
6-Processos, Volume VI, pgs. 1611 to 1614
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1611
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1612
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1613
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1614
Date of Diligence: 2007.05.26
Location: This Department
Name: Aoife Smith
The witness states:
' That she comes to the process as a witness.
' Being of Irish nationality, she does not understand Portuguese in its written or oral form and is accompanied by an interpreter.
' States that she arrived on her Portugal holiday on the 30th of April, 2007. She came with her parents Martin and Mary Smith and her two nieces.
' They stayed in the Estrela Da Luz complex in Praia da Luz where her parents have an apartment.
' Her brother Peter was already in the apartment when they arrived as was her sister-in-law, her nephew (six years old), CO** and the son of her sister-in-law, TA*** (13 years old).
' They came with the intention of holidaying for about 10 days. The return passage was booked for May 9, 2007. She is not exactly sure of the date.
' Her holidays were spent in the complex pool, in Praia da Luz and in the central commercial district. Normally, however, they spent a lot of time in Luz villa.
' When dining in the apartment, it was normal for them not to venture out. When they did go to the restaurant, they would stop by Kelly's Bar, situated on Calheta Street.
' Regarding the 3rd of May, 2007, she went, together with the family, to eat at the Dolphin restaurant, which is close to Kelly's Bar. When they left the restaurant around 21H30, they headed toward Kelly's Bar. They stayed there for about 30 minutes.
' Around 22H00, they left Kelly's Bar. The group headed, on foot, for their apartment.
' Questioned, she responds that she knows the time because her brother and father decided to leave early that night. There were two reasons for this: her sister-in-law was not feeling very well and the other reason had to do with her brother, sister-in-law, nephew and son of her sister-in-law, who were catching a flight to Ireland the very next day.
' Upon leaving the bar, they turned right and headed along the road for 40/50 metres. At this point, they again turned to the right and ascended a small street that gives way to stairs. These stairs give access to Rua 25 de Abril. As it was a large group (four adults and five children) they travelled apart from each other along the street with one closer to the front and the others behind. She does not remember how they were separated.
' The deponent remembers that upon reaching the top of the stairs, she looked to her left and saw a man (1) with a child (2) in his arms, walking along the path Rua 25 de Abril. He was walking in their direction at a distance of, give or take, two metres.
' The deponent crossed to the other side of Rua 25 de Abril and began walking on the street that leads to the primary school, in the direction of their apartment complex.
' She did not see if the referenced individual with the child descended the street via the stairs or if he continued via the 25 of Abril street.
' It was the first time she saw that man. She does not remember seeing him at any time in that location.
' She has seen photographs of Madeleine McCann and thinks that it could have been her. She is about 60% certain.
' The below referenced description about the individual was taken around 22H00, when the lighting was weak.
' Questioned, states that she would probably not be able to recognise the individual or the child:
Description:
' (1) the individual was male, Caucasian, light-skinned, between 20/30 years of age, of normal complexion, normal physique, around 180/175 metres in height. At the time she saw him, she did see his face but now cannot remember any detail. She believes that he had a clean-shaven face. She does not remember any tattoos, scars or earrings. She did not look at his ears. His hair was thick-ish, light brown in colour, cut in a short style, short from behind (normal) and a bit longer on the top.
' His trousers were beige in colour, made of cotton, possibly with buttons, and without any other decoration.
' She did not see what he was wearing above his trousers as the child covered him completely from the top.
' She did not notice what shoes he was wearing.
' The individual's gait was normal. He did not look tired and walked normally while carrying the child.
' (2) the child was female . She had straight long hair to the neck. The colour was light/light brown.
' She is certain that the child was about four years old because her niece (who was in the group) is of the same age and same height.
' She did not see the child's face because she was lying against the individual's left shoulder in a vertical position against the individual. She appeared to be sleeping. Her arms were suspended along her body and were not around the individual's neck. She did not look at the child's hands and cannot state the colour of her skin. She believes she was white.
' There was nothing covering the child, a comforter/blanket or any other piece of clothing but she only saw her back.
' She was wearing light trousers, white or rose-coloured that may have been pyjamas. She does not remember if they were patterned as it was dark. The material was light and could have been cotton.
' She also had a light top, with long sleeves. She did not see well because the individual had his arms around the child. She is not sure if the child's top was the same colour as her trousers but the trousers were light.
' Questioned regarding her shoes, she responds that she did not remember seeing any but cannot remember if the child had any or not.
' Urged, affirms that she has finished declaring the truth, according to her knowledge.
' And nothing more was said. Reads and finds it inconformity, ratifies and signs together with her interpreter.
1615 to 1624 Witness Testimony of Peter Daniel Smith taken 2007/05/26 with map of sighting
6-Processos, Volume VI, pgs. 1615 to1624
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1615
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1616
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1617
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1618
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1619
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1620
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1621
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1622
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1623
06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1624
Date of Diligence: 2007.05.26
Location: DIC Portimao
Name: PETER DANIEL SMITH
The witness states:
' That he comes to the process as a witness.
' Being of Irish nationality, he does not understand Portuguese in its written or oral form and is accompanied by an interpreter.
' States that his father owns an apartment in the Luz Villa, Lagos, in Estrela da Luz, corresponding to A1C. His father comes to Portugal at least three times per year. This was the deponent's first time to Portugal.
' In that which concerns the period in question, states that he arrived in Portugal on the 26th of April of 2007 and had his return passage booked for the 4th of May of the same year. He arrived at Faro airport via Dublin. This he arrived a few days before his father. He was accompanied by his wife, S***, and his two children TA*** and CO**.
' He would like to clarify that on the 3rd of May, he and the family went to the Dolphin restaurant, situated in Praia da Luz, where they dined. Around 12H00, they left the restaurant and headed toward Kelly's Bar which as about one minute away via foot. In Kelly's Bar (he does not remember the name of the street it is on) they had a few drinks and left there around 21H50/22H00.
' They left the bar, and went up a set of stairs that give access to a road just above. On this road, they walked towards another street (whose name he does not know) and headed for home. At the very start of their journey on this road, the saw an individual holding a child. This individual was walking normally although, in quick steps as he was coming down the street. It appeared to him normal, as if this was father and daughter. He adds that this individual was coming down the street, contrary to the direction of the deponent and his family. He does not know the destination the individual took as he only saw him while crossing the street.
' Urged, states that when he passed this individual it was around 21H55/22H00 and did not know at the time that a child had disappeared. He only found out about the child the next morning from someone he knew in his complex who was also leaving to go home. The deponent went to the airport as he had booked a flight to return home on this day.
' At this time, he did not associate the individual with the disappearance. Only after did he connect the coincidence of the time. From this he supposed that it could have been MADELEINE who was with this individual.
' The description of this individual is as follows: Caucasian, around 175 to 180 metres. He was around 35, or older. He was somewhat tanned as a result of sun exposure. He had a normal complexion, in good form. He had short hair, brown in colour. He does not remember if he used glasses, a beard of a moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details as the lighting was bad.
' He also does not remember the clothing the individual wore or his shoes. He states that he did not look at this detail as his pregnant wife was somewhat ill and he was constantly looking at her to make sure she was okay.
' He states the child was female. She was perhaps two or three years old. She appeared to be a bit smaller than his niece. It was a child with a normal complexion. She had blonde hair, medium in length, not very light. Her skin was white, typically British. He did not look at her eyes as she was asleep and her eyelids were closed.
' He does not remember her clothing very well but believes it was light summer clothin5 light in colour. He does not remember is she was covered in a blanket. He cannot affirm whether she was barefoot.
' Having already seen various photographs of MADELEINE alongside her images on television, states that she may have been the child he saw. He cannot state this as fact but is convinced that it could have been MADELEINE. Indeed, this is the opinion of his family.
' Questioned, states that the individual did not speak nor did the child as she was sleeping deeply. He adds that the individual did not try to hide his face or to look downwards. He did not notice anything strange.
' States that it would not be possible to recognize the individual in person or via photograph.
' At being asked, says that when he saw the individual, the deponent was accompanied by his wife, S***, his father MARTIN, his mother MARY, his children TA*** and CO**, his sister AOIFE and his two nieces AI****** and EI****, children of his sister.
' States also that when he passed the individual, the individual was descending to his right, and went around the deponent in the middle of the street. At that time the traffic was minimal or non-existent..
' He adds that the group was separated by some meters so that they were able to see the individual from various distinct positions.
' He has added a sketch indicating his locale and the sighting.
' Adds also that his son TA*** was questioned in Ireland and told that the individual was wearing a long-sleeved coat, back in colour, and that the child was barefoot.
' He has no other elements to offer the investigation.
' And nothing more was said. Reads and finds it in conformity, ratifies and signs together with her interpreter.
6-Processo 6 Pages 1619 to 1624
MAP 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1619
SMITH SIGHTING 1 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1620
SMITH SIGHTING 2 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1621
SMITH SIGHTING 3 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1622
SMITH SIGHTING 4 - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1623
SMITH SIGHTING 5 CLICK TO ENLARGE - 06_VOLUME_VIa_Page_1624
PROCESSO 06
2871 to 2875 Smith Family Memorandum regarding contact with PJ after McCanns return home
11-Processos, Volume XI Page 2871 to 2875
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2871
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2872
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2873
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2874
11_VOLUME_XIa_Page_2875
From: DC Hughes
Sent: Thursday, 20th September, 2007 15:42
CC: Prior Stuart
Re: FW: Smith Family
This is the Irish family that saw a man transporting a child on the night in question and returned to Portugal to collaborate with the investigation. Martin Smith contacted our department stating that after having observed the McCann family on TV alighting from the plane, he believes that the person he saw carrying the child that night was Gerry McCann. For your information.
DC John Hughes
__________________
From: Long Lindsay
Sent: 20th September, 2007 11:37
CC: Hughes John (DC)
Re: Smith Family
Rec via: TELEPHONE Series: 241 Ident: BC19-8286-1055 20/09/07
Telephone: *********
Locale: Portugal/Out of country
Origin: Mr. Martin Smith 'Ireland
Text: Reported that he passed a male carrying a child in Praia da Luz the night Maddie went missing. Went and made a statement to Portugal police in Portimao on 26th of May and returned to the U.K. Is saying that after seeing McCANNS on the news on 9th of September when they returned to the U.K. He has not slept and is worried sick. He states he was watching the 10 pm news on BBC and saw the McCANNS getting off the plane and coming down the steps. He states it was like watching an action replay of the night he saw the male carrying the child back in Portugal. He states the way Gerry was carrying his twin triggered something in his head. It was exactly the same way and look of the other male seen the night Maddy went missing. He also watched ITV news and SKY news and inferred it looked like the same person both times carrying the children. Is asking a member of the OP Task Force to ring him back. He was with a group of 9 family and friends the night he saw the male in Portugal. He sounded quite shaken and worried whilst speaking to me.
Rec by: TPHONE Serial: 241 Ident:BC19-8286 1055 20/09/07
1101 8286-BC19 Incident linked to 209 26/06/07
1101 8286-BC19 Incident Result ODI: ADMIN DUPLICATE INCIDENT
QNG: QUALIFIER NOT REQUIRED
1101 8286-BC19 Incident Closed
Lindsay Long
Holmes Indexer
Major Crime
Braunstone Police Station
Processos Vol XI Page 2875
Policia Judiciaria
NUIPC 201-070 GALGS
NOTE
On this date I state for the files that at about 12.12 I had telephone contact with the witness Martin Smith, by means of phone number ********* who referred to the communication he made on 20-09-2007 to the British authorities, that confirms his sighting and showing his full availability to travel to Portugal with the aim of making statements and collaborating with this police in all the diligences that could be considered necessary concerning these events.
Portimão, 27th September 2007
Signed
Inspector Paiva
PROCESSO 11
3991 Martin Smith information regarding Gerry McCann on television 2007.11.08
13-Processo Vol XIII Page 3991
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3991
NUIP 201/07 o GALGS
4' Brigada Information
We can infer, from the analysis of the information contained in folios 2871 and 2872, that the statement of Martin Smith, duly identified and filed as folio 1606, reports new elements.
This information alleges that upon catching sight of Gerald McCann on the television news, when he (GM) arrived at the UK and still at the airport, he (GM) appeared to him to be the individual whom he saw on 3rd May in Praia da Luz, carrying a child.
As a result of this and because of the fact of the witness being resident in Ireland, we contacted an officer from the Irish force for the Iberian Peninsula, in Madrid, Bernard Gattney, who took on the task of carrying out the necessary arrangements in order to proceed to a new questioning of Martin Smith.
He was sent by email a copy of the information including the witness statement, and a list of questions to ask him, duly translated into English.
Portimao, 8th November 2007
Inspector
Joao Carlos
3992 Email regarding Smith statement 2007.11.07
3993 to 3994 Portuguese translation of email from Prior re: Smith statement 2007.09.20
13-Processos Vol XIII Page 3992 (in English)
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3992
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3993
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3994
Email sent from Joao Carlos Silva Pereira to Bernard Gattney
8th November 2007
Subject: Martin Smith
Bernard ,
According to our phone contact, I hereby enclose the report on Martin Smith, son of P S and C S, born in Ireland on *****, and an Irish citizen, passport n' *****, home address*****.
Following the enclosed report you are now kindly requested to ask him the following questions:
- Does he confirm the statement he made in Portugal on May 26th 2007'
- Can he describe in detail the individual he saw carrying a child on May 3rd 2007, notwithstanding the fact that he has already made this description in his previous statements' Was this individual alone'
- When and in what mass medium has he seen the news of Gerald McCann going down the plane stairs, and carrying one of his children' (If possible he should be shown the above-mentioned pictures, as well as asked whether he confirms or disconfirms this man was the same individual he saw on May 3rd 2007).
- Was it really Gerry McCann' Is he sure of this fact'
- Does he recognise Gerald McCann from the facial features or from the way he was carrying the child'
- Are his family members, namely the ones who were with him on May 3rd 2007, able to recognise the individual' If yes, do they also identify the individual as being Gerald McCann' (If yes, such family members should also be interviewed with a view to equally answering the above questions).
- Any other possible significant question, whether arising from the answers of Martin Smith to the above questions or that is deemed as relevant, should be equally asked.
3993 to 3994 'Portuguese translation of email from Prior
re: Smith statement 2007.09.20
3995 to 3997 English email re: Smith sighting sent from Stuart Prior
13-Processos Vol XIII Pages 3996 ' 3997 (in English)
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3995
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3996
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3997
Email from John Hughes to DIC Portimao, C.C. to Stuart Prior
20th September 2007
Subject: Fwd Smith family
From Lindsay Long to John Hughes
20th September 2007
Re ' Smith family
Location : Portugal Out of Force Area
Origin: Mr Martin Smith Ireland.
Text: Reported that he had passed a male carrying a child in Praia da Luz the night Maddie went missing. Went and made a statement to Portugal police in Portimao on 26th May and returned to UK. Is saying that after seeing the McCanns on the news on 9th Sept when they returned to UK he has not slept and is worried sick. He states he was watching the 10 PM on BBC and saw the McCanns getting off the plane and coming down the steps. He states it was like watching an action replay of the night he saw the male carrying the child back in Portugal. He states the way Gerry was carrying his twin triggered something in his head. It was exactly the same way and look of the male seen the night Maddie went missing . He also watched ITV news and Sky news and inferred it looked like the same person both times carrying the children.
Is asking a member of OP task ring him back. He was with group of 9 family and friends the night he saw the male in Portugal. He sounded quite worried and shaken whilst speaking to me
Title: Info on Maddie
PROCESSO 13
4134 Cover of fax re: Dublin correspondence (English)
4135 to 4139 Additional statement from Martin Smith 2008.01.30 (English)
4140 Email
16-Processos, Volume XVI, pg 4134 to 439
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4134
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4135
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4136
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4137
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4138
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4139
16_VOLUMEXVIa_Page_4140
Detective Branch
Drogheda
County Lough
Re ' Investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann
I took an additional statement from Mr Smith as requested. His wife does not want to make another statement. I showed him the video clip and he stated that it was not the clip that alerted him but the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007.
He has been contacted by numerous tabloid press looking for stories. He has been contacted by Mr Brian Kennedy who is supporting the McCann family to take part in a photo fit exercise. He has given no stories or helped in any photo fits. He sent a solicitor's letter to six papers in relation material that was printed that was misquoted. The Evening Herald paid his solicitor's fees and all papers printed an apology. His photograph appeared in another tabloid paper and this matter is being pursued at the moment.
I do not believe that Martin Smith is courting the press and my view his is a genuine person. He is known locally and is a very decent person.
Forwarded please
Sergeant
Liam Hogan
I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if i state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10' in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct.
DROGHEDA IND 08-08-07 Drogheda family.
SOURCE: PAMALAM
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