McCann grandmother's heartache

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6989088.stm

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The grandmother of missing Madeline McCann has said the situation has been "horrendous" in recent days.

Eileen McCann, who owns a pub in St Johnston on the Donegal border with Londonderry, said she was completely behind her son Gerry and his wife Kate.

They have been declared official suspects in their four-year-old daughter's disappearance in Portugal.

Mrs McCann said the support from people living in the Derry and Donegal areas has been a comfort to the family.

"I have got loads of friends in St Johnston, very, very good friends," she said.

"We always keep in touch and we are always there for one another. All the people in St Johnston who know me since we've been living there and my children... they know my children wouldn't do anything that is wrong."

Madeleine's father, Gerry, has described the events of the past week as an "unending nightmare".

'Unbearable'

In his internet blog, he said he and his wife, Kate, of Rothley, Leics, faced an "unbearable" situation.

Portuguese police have played down reports that DNA evidence with a 100% match to Madeleine were found in her parents' hire car. The public prosecutor is to review the files in the case.

In his blog, Mr McCann said he and his wife had absolute confidence that when all the facts were presented they would be able to show that "we played no part in Madeleine's abduction".

The couple, both 39, were declared formal suspects last week.

Madeleine was reported missing from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May.