Daily Mail....Gerry McCann played tennis days after Madeleine disappeared

I came across this while looking for something else, interesting.

Daily Mail Gerry McCann 'played tennis days after Madeleine disappeared' By VANESSA ALLEN Last updated at 12:22 24 October 2007 Gerry McCann organised a game of tennis in the days after his daughter Madeleine disappeared, it has been claimed. In an allegation likely to infuriate the McCanns, a waiter at the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Laz said Gerry and Kate were 'very cool' after she vanished and seemed less upset than their friends The waiter said: "What we found really strange was Gerry, days after the little girl disappeared, calmly playing tennis. He played with an old couple from England. Gerry and Kate McCann: Their lawyers will soon see police files on the case "I thought that everybody else in the group seemed more upset and stressed and bothered than the parents. Madeleine: 'There's been a disaster', her father said "They were so cool about it. I never saw them cry or anything. They played tennis and went jogging. They didn't seem as distraught as their friends. If my kid disappeared I'd go insane. I wouldn't be able to function. They'd have to lock me away." The claims come as the McCanns launch a new 24-hour phoneline manned by private detectives in a fresh bid to find their daughter. Portuguese police have given Gerry and Kate their full backing in setting up the confidential number, according to the couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell. It's also been reported Madeleine's hair and body fluids were found in the apartment of the first offical suspect in her disappearance, Robert Murat. Portuguese newspaper 24 Horas said detectives are now sure she was in his apartment at some stage, but are not sure if she was dead or alive. The waiter's description of the McCanns was in sharp contrast to one given by Mrs McCann's mother Susan Healy. She told of a hysterical telephone call home that Mr McCann made on the night Madeleine disappeared from their Portuguese holiday apartment. "There's been a disaster, it's a disaster," he told his mother-in-law. "Madeleine has been abducted from her bed." Madeleine's mother added: "She's gone mum, she's gone." Speaking for the first time about the emotional call, Mrs Healy said her son-in-law was so hysterical on the phone that she was unsure what he was saying. "I thought he was talking about a car accident," she said. "It took me a while because he was hysterical. And then he just said 'Madeleine has been abducted from her bed'." Speaking from their Liverpool home, Mrs Healy, 61, and her husband Brian described how they tried to comfort the McCanns. "I was able to say to her [Kate], 'We'll be able to get her back'," said Mrs Healy. "I'm finding it harder to say that. But we're not going to acknowledge she's gone from our life altogether." Grandparents: Susan and Brian Healy used their interview on Spanish TV to send a message to Madeleine to 'stay strong - we'll get you back' Mrs McCann's parents spoke about the call during an interview they gave on Spanish TV to try to refute claims that their daughter was involved in Madeleine's disappearance on May 3. Mrs Healy said that seeing Mrs McCann named as an official suspect was not as bad as the fear that Madeleine, four, could be dead. Lawyers for the McCanns - who are both official suspects - will soon be allowed to see the police files on the case. Under Portugal's new penal code the secrecy laws covering the investigation will be lifted on November 14. This morning the McCanns' official spokesman Clarence Mitchell dismissed reports that Mr McCann had "stunned" hotel staff by organising a game of tennis while the hunt for Madeleine was under way. He told GMTV: "For nearly six months now, we have had this stream of unwarranted speculation, in many cases ill-informed rumour and downright misinterpretation of events. "Kate and Gerry did nothing wrong in the immediate aftermath of Madeleine going missing. The only thing they did do was fight for their daughter's return and that is what they have continued to do ever since." The McCanns, who are both 39-year-old doctors, are back home in Rothley, Leicestershire, with their two-year-old twins.

I often wonder what is in the minds of close relatives like Susan and Brian Healy: I mean, like any parents they will be inclined to give unqualified support and no doubt have done - but surely they must wonder why so very many people are at the very least unhappy with, or suspicious about, what their daughter claims happened to Madeleine.

Yet more lives damaged.

WHAT THIS ABOUT ROBERT MURAT?

The End Is Nigh wrote:I often wonder what is in the minds of close relatives like Susan and Brian Healy: I mean, like any parents they will be inclined to give unqualified support and no doubt have done - but surely they must wonder why so very many people are at the very least unhappy with, or suspicious about, what their daughter claims happened to Madeleine.

Yet more lives damaged.

Exactly my thoughts. I often wonder what my reaction would be if it were one of my grandchildren and whether I would have doubts about my kids or their partners. You just never know people totally, even your own kids (and perhaps its best that we don`t).

Oldartform wrote:

The End Is Nigh wrote:I often wonder what is in the minds of close relatives like Susan and Brian Healy: I mean, like any parents they will be inclined to give unqualified support and no doubt have done - but surely they must wonder why so very many people are at the very least unhappy with, or suspicious about, what their daughter claims happened to Madeleine.

Yet more lives damaged.

Exactly my thoughts. I often wonder what my reaction would be if it were one of my grandchildren and whether I would have doubts about my kids or their partners. You just never know people totally, even your own kids (and perhaps its best that we don`t).

When Madeleine first disappeared, my daughter was very sympathetic towards them. When I said something about their leaving the three children, my daughter said she thought the McCanns had suffered enough. So, I asked her if it would be OK if I tucked, then 9 month-old grandson into bed and went round the corner to the Community Club, left the door open and checked every half hour? My daughter's response was that if I did I would be an ex-grandmother!

Badboy wrote:WHAT THIS ABOUT ROBERT MURAT?

It's also been reported Madeleine's hair and body
fluids were found in the apartment of the first offical suspect in her
disappearance, Robert Murat.

Well the piece is written by ace Mail journalist Vanessa Allen.

ann_chovey wrote:

Badboy wrote:WHAT THIS ABOUT ROBERT MURAT?

It's also been reported Madeleine's hair and body
fluids were found in the apartment of the first offical suspect in her
disappearance, Robert Murat.

Well the piece is written by ace Mail journalist Vanessa Allen.

Is Vanessa Allen another of the McCanns media friends? As far as I'm aware, Robert Murat didn't live in an apartment, he lived in the home of his mum. His mum's home was searched at least twice and and the garden was also dug up more than once. The police found nothing and they returned all of Mr Murat's property, including his computer.

As far as Robert Murat is concerned, the evidence showed that he played no part in Madeleine's disappearance, yet he is still suspected by some of being involved.

kathybelle wrote:

ann_chovey wrote:

Badboy wrote:WHAT THIS ABOUT ROBERT MURAT?

It's also been reported Madeleine's hair and body
fluids were found in the apartment of the first offical suspect in her
disappearance, Robert Murat.

Well the piece is written by ace Mail journalist Vanessa Allen.

Is Vanessa Allen another of the McCanns media friends? As far as I'm aware, Robert Murat didn't live in an apartment, he lived in the home of his mum. His mum's home was searched at least twice and and the garden was also dug up more than once. The police found nothing and they returned all of Mr Murat's property, including his computer.

As far as Robert Murat is concerned, the evidence showed that he played no part in Madeleine's disappearance, yet he is still suspected by some of being involved.

COME TO THINK ABOUT IT,DOESN'T HE LIVE IN A VILLA,NOT AN APARTMENT?

Thank you Panda for bringing this up... the reaction of this waiter says it all for me. I always wonder are there really people out there that truly believe leaving those babies because that's what they were... and honestly class that " responsible parenting" and that they all do it too. Well, all I can say to them is .. I have not had children of my own but I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful stepdaughter that I love with all my heart and never for one instance would we have ate and drank out of the apartment without her. It s been gone over time again but it never ceases to amaze me.