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Gerry's Blog/Diary - Days 101 to 150 |
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Day 150 - 30/09/2007 |
Sunday |
No
Entry |
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Day 149 - 29/09/2007 |
Saturday |
No Entry |
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Day 148 - 28/09/2007 -
Friday
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Father Paul
Seddon Day 148 |
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Twins slide Garden Day 148 |
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Conkers Day 148 |
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Twins Nursery
Day 148 |
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Wallis & Gromit
Day 148 |
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It has been another busy week for Kate and I.
Sean and Amelie have settled back into nursery, almost as if
they have never been away. They are also enjoying playing in
their garden especially on the big slide and their latest
escapade is collecting conkers! When they are not in the
garden, they are desperate to watch ‘Wallace and Gromit’ or
build dens in their bedroom- another new activity introduced
by a very special friend of theirs!
The amount of supportive mail we have been receiving has
been overwhelming and shows no sign of abating. Just as when
we were in Portugal, someone reads every single letter or
card and your kind words really do help us. Thank you! We
have once again been lucky enough to have had friends and
family here helping us. Paul Seddon, the priest who married
us and baptised Madeleine, also came down for a day this
week too. The media presence in Rothley has reduced to a few
photographers now and it has been good to get out and about
a little bit in the village. We have had tremendous input
from the local police who have kept a quiet presence at the
end of the road, allowing us to have some privacy around the
house. The support and kind words we have received from the
local villagers has also helped to make our return that bit
easier.
When we hear of potential sightings of Madeleine, Kate and I
try not to get too excited otherwise we would be on a
continuous emotional roller coaster, more than that which we
are experiencing already. Despite the disappointment, it is
encouraging that people are still being vigilant and have
not stopped looking for Madeleine. This is so incredibly
important to us both. The official advice from the
authorities if you think you have seen Madeleine, or another
missing child, is to call the local police force immediately
and supply any information which might be critical such as a
car registration or address.
We are planning a quiet family weekend, catching up with
friends and some family who will be coming to visit. We
continue to hope and pray that our lovely little girl will
be back with us soon. |
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Day 147 -
27/09/2007 |
Thursday |
No entry |
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Day 146 - 26/09/2007
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Wednesday |
No entry |
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Day 145 - 25/09/2007
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Tuesday |
No entry |
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NOT CHARGED WITH ANY OFFENCE |
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BUSINESS MAN
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
DAY 144 |
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LEGAL ADVISERS
DAY 144 |
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COOPERATE
PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES
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MAIL WELL WISHERS
DAY 144 |
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Clarence Mitchell
Day
144
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Day
144 - 24/09/2007
It is just over 2 weeks since we returned home from
Portugal. The major news in that time is that we have not
been charged with any offences regarding Madeleine’s
disappearance. It is encouraging that the prosecutor has
stated that all lines of enquiry remain open and we have not
given up hope of finding Madeleine alive. It is good to see
at least some attention re-focussing on finding Madeleine.
Sean and Amelie have settled back in at home very well but
they do miss their older sister and we talk about her every
day.
For Kate and I it has been incredibly difficult to
come home without Madeleine but particularly in such
circumstances. Our family and friends have rallied round
again as they have throughout this entire nightmare and they
have also helped keep on top of the huge amount of mail from
well wishers. At times our kitchen has looked like a sorting
office! We would like to thank everyone for their support.
It helps us keep sight of the fact that the great majority
of people in this world are good.
Kate and I have been very busy with our legal advisers as we
want to be eliminated from the inquiry as soon as possible
and start concentrating wholeheartedly again on the search
for our daughter. We are very confident this will happen
when all the facts are presented together. We are very
grateful and thankful to have several businessmen who have
pledged financial support to cover legal costs and we were
delighted Clarence Mitchell agreed to help us as an official
spokesman. It is scary and daunting to imagine how we could
have managed to deal with these latter ‘developments’
without such offers of support and commitment. Clarence will
try and minimise the impact of the huge media interest in
Madeleine’s disappearance on us, as we try and return slowly
towards as normal a life as is possible. Although we will
NEVER give up on Madeleine, we have to find the right
balance for Sean and Amelie so they too do not suffer
unnecessarily.
In the meantime we will continue to cooperate fully with the
Portuguese authorities. I will update the blog periodically
especially if there is any major development.
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Day
143 - 23/09/2007 |
Sunday |
No entry |
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Day 142 - 22/09/2007 |
Saturday |
No entry |
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Day 141 - 21/09/2007 |
Friday |
No entry |
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Day 140 - 20/09/2007 |
Thursday |
No entry |
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Day 139 - 19/09/2007 |
Wednesday |
No entry |
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Day 138 - 18/09/2007 |
Tuesday |
No entry |
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Day 137 - 17/09/2007 |
Monday |
No entry |
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Sorry for not updating the blog for such a long time
but obviously we have been incredibly busy during this last tumultuous week. The
entries will probably be every few days or if there is a major development in
the future.
Thank you for all the cards, letters, flowers, gifts and messages of support. It
means so much to us to know that so many people have not been deceived by
rumour, innuendo and wild speculation. Most importantly the search for Madeleine
carries on and our family have not given up hope of finding her.
Live in Rothley is still a long way off normal with the large media presence but
it is beginning to settle down somewhat. We all managed to go to mass today and
it was comforting to pray for Madeleine with friends and family in our local
church. |
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Day
135 - 15/09/2007 |
Saturday |
No
entry |
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Statement from
the Find Madeleine Fund
15 September 2007 -
Saturday
Director John McCann, said:
“On behalf of the extended McCann
family and the Madeleine Fund, I would like to say how
grateful we are for people's generosity and support.
The main objective of the Madeleine
Fund is to leave no stone unturned in the search for
Madeleine.
To that end I would like to announce
that the Fund will finance a broad range of initiatives
in advertising to remind everyone that Madeleine is
still missing. These adverts will focus on Spain,
Portugal and other parts of Europe and will consist of
billboards and other media. This financing of
advertisements will complement previous efforts by the
Fund and many motivated individuals – family, friends
and people touched by our cause.
I hope that the general public will
continue to support us in this.
It is so important that we remember:
"don't you forget about me"- our lovely wee Madeleine.” |
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Day 134 - 14/09/2007 |
Friday |
No entry |
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Day 133 - 13/09/2007 |
Thursday |
No entry |
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Day 132 - 12/09/2007 |
Wednesday |
No entry |
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Statement by
the Board of Madeleine’s Fund:
Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited
12 September 2007 -
The Fund
would like to thank everyone for their kindness,
support and generosity.
Madeleine’s Fund was set up to:
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Find
Madeleine;
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Support the Family; and
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Bring the abductor or abductors to justice
and subject to that to help other
missing children
With the sudden dramatic and
unexpected turn of events at the weekend the
directors had to consider whether legal defence
costs could be paid for by the Fund.
The Board has taken advice from
Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP and Christopher
McCall QC. The Board has been advised that payment
of Gerry and Kate’s legal defence costs would be
legally permissible subject to conditions about
repayment in the event of a guilty conviction.
The directors of the Fund
discussed this today. The two family directors,
Brian Kennedy and John McCann withdrew from the
meeting when the decision was made. Esther Mcvey
chaired the meeting.
The Fund directors realise that
there is not only a legal answer and recognise the
spirit which underlies the generous donations to
Madeleine’s Fund, which it
is the directors’ responsibility to steer.
For this reason the Fund directors have decided not to pay
for Gerry and Kate’s legal defence costs. We stress
that Gerry and Kate have not asked for these
costs to be paid.
However, people have already called in offering their
financial support. Any such fund to pay legal defence
costs would have to be separately set up and administered.
At the heart of this campaign and
Fund is a little girl confused, lonely and in need
of her parents. This Fund’s money will be focused
on finding that little girl and leaving no stone
unturned.
12 September 2007 |
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Day 131 - 11/09/2007
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Tuesday |
No entry |
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ARGUIDO
Day 130
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AIRPORT HOME
DAY 130 |
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COOPERATE
PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES
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Day 130 -
10/09/2007
The last few days have been incredibly busy and of course,
unbelievably stressful and emotionally draining.
On
Friday Kate and I were made ‘arguido’- official suspects in
Madeleines disappearance. We cannot comment on any details
of the investigation, interviews or any evidence that has
been presented to us. We could never possibly have imagined
being put in this unbearable situation. No specific charges
have been
presented at this point and there has been no restriction on our movements
imposed.
Despite the anguish and extreme distress this has caused all of our family, long
term no one will be able to doubt how intensely Kate and I have been
scrutinised. We have absolute confidence that, when all of the facts are
presented together, we will be able to demonstrate that we played absolutely no
part in Madeleines abduction. Our primary concern has always been the search for
Madeleine and this aspect, that our daughter is still missing, must remain a
priority for the investigation.
On Saturday we asked the Portuguese police if they had any objection to us
coming back to the UK. We had assured them that we will continue to cooperate
fully with the investigation and of course will return as requested and for our
own emotional reasons. We decided to fly back on Sunday as we had originally
planned and all of our family spent the rest of the evening helping us to pack.
On Sunday we left for the airport at 7am with huge media attention. Camera crews
followed us all the way to the airport, and the whole experience, like much of
the last four months was incredibly surreal. The flight itself went quickly with
Sean and Amelie constantly active and excited about returning to Leicestershire.
We always hoped that we would not have to return without Madeleine and could
never have imagined the possibility that we would do so as suspects in our own
daughters disappearance. The pain and turmoil we have experienced in this last
week is totally beyond description. Kate and I are totally 100% confident in
each others innocence and our family and friends have rallied round
unflinchingly to support us. We would like to thank everyone else for the
support we have received since we came home.
We have had very mixed emotions since coming back to our own home. It is very
comforting to have such familiar surroundings and our own belongings and the
twins have settled straight back in as if they have never been away. We have had
numerous visitors with friends and those in official capacities. We have
appointed solicitors to advise us and assist our Portuguese lawyer in preparing
our defence against any possible charges. The sooner this is done the sooner we
can concentrate fully on trying to find Madeleine, which is the most important
thing through this unending nightmare. |
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Day 129 - 09/09/2007
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Sunday |
No entry |
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Day 128 - 08/09/2007 |
Saturday |
No entry |
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Day 127 - 07/09/2007 |
Friday |
No entry |
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POLICE INTERVIEW
DAY 126 |
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Day 126 - 06/09/2007
Everyone will know that Kate attended for interview
as a witness with the Portuguese police today. This is only the second time Kate
has been interviewed and although it was a long day, going on past midnight,
this was shorter than my second interview which lasted 13 hours! The suggestion
that Kate is involved in Madeleines disappearance is ludicrous. Anyone who knows
anything about the 3rd May knows that Kate is completely innocent. We will fight
this all the way and we will not stop looking for Madeleine. |
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CARDS WELL
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RUNNING
DAY 125
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Day 125 - 05/09/2007
We were surprised to find increased media presence
in Praia da Luz again today. We were followed down to church, then to the shops
and back to our accommodation which is very unusual, apart from the build up to
the 100 days. All the excitement seems to be
over the results of the recent forensic tests that again have created a huge
amount of speculation. There has been no official conformation that the report
has been received, or what the tests suggest if anything!
Kate and I went for a run along the coast at lunchtime. It was pretty windy but
still warm enough. Later in the afternoon we went to visit a friend of Kate’s
who is on holiday in a nearby village with her family. They brought lots of
cards from well-wishers at home and we talked a lot about the search for
Madeleine. The twins had a great time splashing around in a little inflatable
paddle pool, singing songs and being doted on by the older kids.
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INTERVIEW FRENCH PUBLICATION |
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BANANA SPLIT WITH CHILD FRIENDLY TOPPING
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Day 124 - 04/09/2007
Kate and I did our first interview for a French
Publication today. Any interviews we do now, of which we only accept a small
percentage of bids, focus on the issues that we have faced since Madeleine’s
abduction. The French have recently adopted a child alert system with some early
success stories. With increasing travel and movement of workers in the European
Union, it is also important we standardise the way serious crimes are tackled.
This evening we were invited to a friend’s house with the children for dinner.
The twins had a good time with the other kids in the paddling pool and
especially enjoyed the banana splits with extra child friendly toppings!
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Day 123 - 03/09/2007 -
Monday
After dropping the twins off Kate and I popped
into church for 10 minutes to pray for Madeleine. Spent most of the day going
through mail, e-mails and I had a number of calls to make. It was good to spend
some time with my family and Sean and Amelie certainly
enjoyed their auntie’s dinner- sometimes it is hard to beat mince and ‘tatties’! |
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TRISH CAMERON
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EILEEN MCCANN
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RUNNING
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Day 122
- 02/09/2007 - Sunday
Another relatively quiet family
day.My mum and sister arrived this morning after we
had been to church. This afternoon we took the kids to a
friend’s house with a pool. Kate and I went for a short run
and then we all had a swim and a couple of treats brought
all the way from
Glasgow!.
Several people have been asking about whether
they should still be putting up posters of Madeleine since I
have said the campaign will be having a lower media profile-
especially of Kate and I. The
advice of the
National
Center for
Missing and Exploited Children is that high visibility of
the missing child through posters, car
stickers etc increases the chances of finding that
child. Kate and I therefore would encourage you to continue
taking posters on holiday and ask permission to have them
displayed in supermarkets, post offices and shops.
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Day 121 - 01/09/2007 -Saturday
Today was a very quiet family day with just the
four of us. Kate’s family left first thing this morning. We took Sean and Amelie to a local zoo that they really enjoyed. I managed
to get the blog written early so it is off to bed for
an early night.
In Rothley, our home village, there was a meeting
this afternoon with the four churches all contributing prayers for Madeleine.
We would like to thank everyone who is praying for Madeleine and all those who
have sent us messages of support- you do help to maintain our strength and
focus. |
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Day 120 -
31/08/2007 -
Friday
Those of who you that read the blog
regularly know how difficult it has been for us not to respond to many of the
slurs against our behaviour leading up to Madeleines
disappearance. We have consistently stated that we will not put new information
into the public domain that might jeopardise the investigation and in fact, we
are constrained by Portuguese Law as witnesses from doing so.
There has been some wild speculation reported in the
press about what may have happened to Madeleine. Most of the innuendo regarding
Kate and me has died down in light of the statements from the official
Portuguese Police spokesperson. However last Friday, a Portuguese newspaper
published a front-page headline ‘PJ believes that the parents killed Maddie’.
We firmly believe that the report was speculative, defamatory and published
despite official statements to the contrary.
As well as damaging our personal and professional
reputations, such allegations smear the investigation, the campaign to find
Madeleine and cause great offence and anxiety to all our family. This is why,
after careful consideration, we have issued a writ against the newspaper for
defamation. Our focus has, and always will be, on doing our best to help find
Madeleine. This lurid allegation is so serious and wide of the mark that we
feel it cannot go unchallenged.
The legal expenses for the proceedings will not be paid
from Madeleines fund.
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RUNNING UP STEEP
HILL |
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SCHOOL
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Day 119 - 30/08/2007 -
Thursday
Kate and I managed an early morning run, finishing by running up the steep
hill. It got a difficult day for us off to a good start.
Madeleine was due to start school today. It has been hard not to imagine how
excited she would have been and how she would have looked in her school
uniform. Kate and I would like to thank the pupils, parents, teachers and
headmistress for their continued support and prayers. We would like to wish all
the new pupils much happiness and we hope pray that Madeleine will be able to
join her fellow classmates soon.
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COMPUTER BLOG |
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Day 118 -
29/08/2007
- Wednesday
Relatively quiet day. Kate and I did one interview in
the morning for a newspaper- that I managed to finish, probably because the
journalist stuck to questions that I am allowed to give answers to!
This afternoon and evening was mostly spent at my computer and a couple of
hours with the kids. Their constant chatter with each other is quite
entertaining.
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DAY 117- 28/08/2007 -
Tuesday
We,
like everyone else, await the results of the forensics from
the recent searches. We do not know who has taken Madeleine
or why. Sometimes people do things for reasons that even
they cannot understand. An act of madness, an accident or
sudden impulse can lead to consequences that people may
never have imagined or intended. Faced with such a situation
we believe any human soul will ultimately suffer torment and
feelings of guilt and fear.
If you have done something you regret, if
you find yourself in a situation you never intended, it is
not too late to do the right thing. Please come forward,
return Madeleine, leave
her in a place of safety. At the very least, help us by
letting us know what has happened to our beautiful little
girl. |
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Day 116 - 27/08/2007 -
Monday
No major news to report. Most of my day was spent on
e-mails and telephone calls.
Kate I went for a run together in the early evening along
the waterfront and then we popped into church for 10 minutes
to pray for Madeleine. We had dinner with
Kates family who are over here just now. Sean
and Amelie are particularly
enjoying having some older kids around.
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Day 115 - 26/08/2007 -
Sunday
I attended mass this morning but Kate did not go as she went to the English
speaking service last night. It was good |
