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15/06/2007
Nothing found in Madeleine search
Police investigating the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann have completed a search in an area of scrubland in Portugal where an anonymous letter claimed that she was buried.
The search was carried out after Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf received an anonymous letter and map indicating where Madeleine's body could be found.
The letter claimed that Madeleine's body is buried in an area of a dirt track in Odiaxere in the Algarve, just over nine miles from Praia da Luz where the four-year-old disappeared on May 3.
The letter said that the child's body could be found buried "north of the road under branches and rocks, around six to seven metres off the road."
The letter is said to resemble another letter, which was sent to the same newspaper last year, indicating where the bodies of two missing Belgian girls were buried.
Police moved into a road in the village of Arao, not far from Praia da Luz, early on Friday morning, cordoned off the area and brought sniffer dogs in.
The village where the search took place lies just north of the main road from Praia da Luz to Faro.
However, the search was called off hours later and Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa told the BBC that the line of enquiry had now been "discarded".
On Thursday, Madeleine's parents criticised the decision by De Telegraaf to publish details of the letter and map before Portuguese police had a chance to investigate the claims.
Writing on a blog on the Find Madeleine web-site, her father Gerry McCann, said: "We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and even if it were true, is insensitive and cruel."
De Telegraaf have not commented on Mr McCann's comments.
Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3, while her parents are at a nearby restaurant.
(KMcA/JM)
The search was carried out after Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf received an anonymous letter and map indicating where Madeleine's body could be found.
The letter claimed that Madeleine's body is buried in an area of a dirt track in Odiaxere in the Algarve, just over nine miles from Praia da Luz where the four-year-old disappeared on May 3.
The letter said that the child's body could be found buried "north of the road under branches and rocks, around six to seven metres off the road."
The letter is said to resemble another letter, which was sent to the same newspaper last year, indicating where the bodies of two missing Belgian girls were buried.
Police moved into a road in the village of Arao, not far from Praia da Luz, early on Friday morning, cordoned off the area and brought sniffer dogs in.
The village where the search took place lies just north of the main road from Praia da Luz to Faro.
However, the search was called off hours later and Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa told the BBC that the line of enquiry had now been "discarded".
On Thursday, Madeleine's parents criticised the decision by De Telegraaf to publish details of the letter and map before Portuguese police had a chance to investigate the claims.
Writing on a blog on the Find Madeleine web-site, her father Gerry McCann, said: "We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and even if it were true, is insensitive and cruel."
De Telegraaf have not commented on Mr McCann's comments.
Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3, while her parents are at a nearby restaurant.
(KMcA/JM)
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14 June 2007
Police investigate tip-off in Madeleine McCann case
Police investigating the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann are investigating an anonymous tip-off which claims that her body is buried near where she was abducted. An anonymous letter and map were sent to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, who then passed it on to the Portuguese police.
Police investigate tip-off in Madeleine McCann case
Police investigating the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann are investigating an anonymous tip-off which claims that her body is buried near where she was abducted. An anonymous letter and map were sent to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, who then passed it on to the Portuguese police.
14 October 2013
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
23 February 2007
Letter bomb suspect remanded in custody
A man has been remanded in custody, charged with the recent series of letter bomb attacks in the UK. Miles Cooper, 27, a primary school caretaker from Cherry Hinton near Cambridge, was arrested on Monday afternoon. He is charged with 12 offences under the Explosives Substances Act and the Offences Against the Person Act.
Letter bomb suspect remanded in custody
A man has been remanded in custody, charged with the recent series of letter bomb attacks in the UK. Miles Cooper, 27, a primary school caretaker from Cherry Hinton near Cambridge, was arrested on Monday afternoon. He is charged with 12 offences under the Explosives Substances Act and the Offences Against the Person Act.
01 July 2008
Madeleine Case 'To Be Closed'
The case of missing British girl Madeleine McCann is set to be closed by local police, according to the Portuguese media. Her parents Gerry and Kate McCann along with an earlier suspect, Robert Murat have each been given 'arguida' status by Portuguese Police.
Madeleine Case 'To Be Closed'
The case of missing British girl Madeleine McCann is set to be closed by local police, according to the Portuguese media. Her parents Gerry and Kate McCann along with an earlier suspect, Robert Murat have each been given 'arguida' status by Portuguese Police.
03 June 2014
Sniffer Dogs Join Madeleine McCann Search
UK police officers have begun using sniffer dogs at the scrubland areas where they are searching for Madeleine McCann, the British girl who went missing from the resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007, when she was three years old.
Sniffer Dogs Join Madeleine McCann Search
UK police officers have begun using sniffer dogs at the scrubland areas where they are searching for Madeleine McCann, the British girl who went missing from the resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007, when she was three years old.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
