Cops let Maddie suspect off hook

29 June 2009
The Sun
Simon Hughes and Antonella Lazzeri

A SUSPECT in the Madeleine McCann case was let off the hook — after a private detective tailing him was deported by cops.

The detective was told to leave Portugal after the suspect complained.

It is illegal in Portugal to run a private investigation into a crime when a police one is still active. As a result of the deportation, the suspect had nearly a year to get rid of any possible evidence against him.

The man lived near the holiday complex in Praia da Luz where Maddie, three, disappeared on May 3, 2007.

A source close to the McCann family last night accused Portuguese cops of "hindering" the investigation, adding: "It's a disgrace."

The detective was working for the Spanish firm initially hired by Kate and Gerry McCann. Their British investigators are now looking into the man.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Antonella Lazzeri, Brian Kennedy, Madeleine McCann, Metodo3

MI5 agent 'forced to give evidence'

26 June 2009
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

A MI5 agent will be arrested and forced to appear in court if he refuses to give evidence at the trial of two Co Armagh men accused of Real IRA weapons-smuggling, Belfast Magistrates Court heard yesterday. Lurgan men Desmond Kearns (44) and Paul Anthony McCaugherty (43) are due to go on trial later this year in connection with an alleged plot to ship arms to the north from mainland Europe between May 2005 and June 2006. They were arrested after a three-year MI5 'sting' involving two undercover agents codenamed 'Amir' and 'Ali'.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009

MADDIE SUSPECT LINK TO ABDUCTED BOY, 7

25 June 2009
The Sun
Antonella Lazzeri
Test to quiz paedophile facing murder trial

A MURDER suspect due to be quizzed by detectives hunting Madeleine McCann is a convicted paedophile being chased over another abduction. Spanish police want to question the man over the disappearance of a boy of seven.

Little Jeremy Vargas vanished in 2007, just eight weeks before Maddie was snatched from her family's holiday flat in Portugal. He was playing outside his home in the Canary Islands. The new suspect, a middle-aged man, was living in Europe at the time under an assumed name. He is currently on remand in a British prison.

He is due to be tried over the alleged murder of a woman and is said to be facing other allegations linked to child abuse.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Antonella Lazzeri, Madeleine McCann

Publican gets six year driving ban

Publican gets six year driving ban
22 June 2009
Donegal Democrat

A St Johnston publican who was caught drink driving while he was already serving a driving ban received a six year disqualification at a recent sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

The court heard Garda Patrick Gerraghty stopped 65-year Joseph Peoples of Kinnycally, St Johnston on the town’s Main Street on March 31. A subsequent test confirmed he was over the legal limit at the time.

Solicitor, Niall Sheridan, told the court his client “took a chance” as he was fearful of walking home at night.

He stated People’s business had not been going well and there were a number of break-ins during one of which he was assaulted and was since living in fear.

“My client has since been very frightened of walking on the street at night. He has no more confidence and the normal procedure was that someone would pick him up,” he explained.

“He took a chance on the night in question and drove the mile home. The family have since sold his car so there is no prospect of re-offending,” said Mr Sheridan.

Judge Kevin Kilrane disqualified Peoples from driving for six years and fined him €1,000.

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(Later article)

Served alcohol without licence
Donegal Democrat
11 September 2009

A St Johnston publican was convicted at Letterkenny District Court for trading without a licence.

Joseph Peoples of Main Street, St. Johnston was charged with allowing the sale of liquor at his premise at the same address on September 27 last year.

Solicitor Niall Sheridan entered a guilty plea on behalf of his client saying he had “bad health” recently.

Judge Kevin Kilrane fined him €633.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Donegal, St Johnston