A vigil for missing Madeleine McCann attracted so many to Knock shrine, Co Mayo, last evening that the event was held in the basilica instead of the old parish church as planned, writes Tom Shiel.
Among those who travelled from Britain for the prayer session were four-year-old Madeleine's maternal grandparents Sue and Brian Healy.
Up to 400 people crowded into the basilica for the four-hour vigil and warmly applauded when the parish priest of Knock, Msg Joseph Quinn, who conducted the vigil along with Fr Richard Gibbons, welcomed the Healys to the ceremony.
The Healys, who are Catholic, requested that such a prayer gathering be held in Knock. They said there had been a huge outpouring of support for the McCann and Healy families and they were most grateful and appreciative of this.
The McCanns have relations in Co Donegal and some of them travelled to Knock for last night's vigil, which concluded at midnight and included a procession which wound its way through the basilica grounds behind the processional statue of Our Lady.
In a brief address at the commencement of the vigil, Msg Quinn prayed for Madeline's safe return and also that God would guide the footsteps of all involved in the search for her.
Msg Quinn called for special prayers for Madeleine's family and prayed that God would strengthen and sustain them at this time of great pain and trauma.
Madeleine's grandparents led the vigil and conveyed the thanks of the McCann and Healy families to the Irish people for their prayers and messages of support.