Portugal:An Irish artist who knows the only formal suspect in the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has defended him, saying he has been the victim of a character assassination.
Kristine Byrne, an Arklow-based artist, told The Irish Times she has known Robert Murat and his mother since he was a child. She got to know the Murat family while living in Praia da Luz. Ms Byrne lived there for 11 years before moving back to Ireland.
Portuguese police questioned Mr Murat (33) for 12 hours earlier this week and removed computer equipment from his house, later classing him an arguido or official suspect. Under Portuguese law, Mr Murat can request arguido status himself to gain further legal protection. He is the only confirmed suspect in the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine (4), from Leicestershire. She vanished from her bed in a holiday apartment while her parents dined at a nearby tapas bar. The villa Mr Murat shares with his elderly mother is a short walk away from the apartment complex where the McCann family had been holidaying.
In recent years Mr Murat had helped her find an apartment in the nearby town of Lagos, Ms Byrne said. "I have known him since he was a child and I remember he was quite a shy little boy," she said.
"He grew up to be a very sweet guy, very friendly and helpful. I think his friendliness could be misconstrued and it seems to be case right now.
"From what I know of Robert, I believe he has had nothing to do with this dreadful situation. He and his family must be going through absolute hell." Mr Murat, whose four-year-old daughter lives with his ex-wife in Britain, has denied any involvement in the girl's disappearance. Police have stressed that while the investigation remains "dynamic", they do not have enough evidence to arrest anyone at this stage. Sergey Malinka, a Russian IT specialist who designed a property website for Mr Murat, has also been questioned as a witness. His apartment in Praia da Luz was searched and items including computer equipment were removed for examination. He too denies any involvement.
Ms Byrne, whose son attended primary school in Praia da Luz, deplored the way certain media outlets had covered the case to date. "Robert has been subjected to the most terrible character assassination by the gutter press with references to 'One-eyed Rob' mixed with allegations about his personal life," she said. "Some balance is needed. What is going on here is little more than trial by media."
Ms Byrne said the entire local community had been shocked by Madeleine's disappearance. "It's as if a heavy cloud had settled over the entire western Algarve. I had planned to go there in 10 days time and I'm dreading it."
Meanwhile, the McCann family intensified their campaign to highlight their daughter's disappearance, extending a poster campaign throughout Europe. Petrol stations, airports, banks, supermarkets and fast-food restaurants across the continent have agreed to display posters of the missing child. A website set up by the McCann family has had more than 50 million hits since its launch earlier this week and rewards totalling some £3 million have been offered for information leading to her return.
"We will continue to campaign and get Madeleine's face out there until we get my niece back," Philomena McCann told The Irish Times.