Shannon Watch: Mick Donovan, Good Neighbours And A Brain Tumour
SHANNON WATCH: - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
DAILY STAR (front page): “SHANNON: WAS MUM IN ON SNATCH?”
Pages 4 and 5: “’IT WAS ALL FAMILY SCAM’”
So says the man “suspected” of abducting Shannon, “allegedly”.
Such are the facts.
THE SUN (front page): “STALKER – Weirdo’s months watching..from next door”
The Sun “can reveal” that Mick Donovan visited one Amanda Hyett “up to four times a week to ‘comfort’ her after her father died”. Hyett is Shannon’s aunt. Hyett is Donovan’s niece.
“It is now thought Donovan…was secretly watching the schoolgirl.”
Thought? Indeed. So says the Sun’s “SHANNON EXCLUSIVE”.
Pages 4 and 5: “I’ll kill my kids”
Donovan “threatened to kill his won daughters after barricading himself into his house with them”.
Donovan is “crazed”. Donovan is a “toothless misfit”. A neighbour called Hayeley Brown says Donovan is a “real weirdo”.
“The mum of four told how a brain tumour had left him with a limp. She said: ‘His arm was a bit a paralysed as well. That and the limp and this big horrible eyes made him look a bit weird, bit pervy.”
What more evidence do you need?
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “SHANNON MAN: NEW ABUSE QUIZ”
“Mick Donovan is said to have made the brothers, aged six and 12, fondle each other.” Allegations. Unproven.
Page 5: “SHANNON DIDN’T KNOW SHE HAD BEEN ABDUCTED”
Of Shannon: “It I believed that so far no evidence of sexual abuse has been discovered…”
Believed? But the police are not releasing any information. Shannon Matthews is still being questioned. So too Mick Donovan.
“Donovan’s family flee in shame” – “Craig Meehan’s family last night were in hiding in shame that one of them was linked to Shannon’s disappearance.”
Surely this should reads: “Mick Donovan’s family…” Why mention Craig Meehan, Shannon’s stepfather?
DAILY EXPRESS (front page): “Parents knew Shannon was with me, says loner”
Pages 6 and 7: “Now Shannon’s parents face police quiz”
The Express sees a conspiracy. If only Karen Matthews can be made to testify at the Princess Diana inquiry. You never know…
But who tipped off the police? Who gets the Sun’s reward?
Family friend Ryan Baynes said he contacted West Yorkshire police to tell them about how Donovan had bounced Shannon on his knee at a family funeral.
He was told repeatedly: “We’re looking into it.”
Neighbours of Donovan in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr – a mile from Shannon’s home – claimed they contacted police expressing their concerns.
Melvyn Glew said he phoned them three weeks ago telling of his worries about his “weirdo neighbour” but heard nothing.
Chief Superintendent Barry South said: “If anyone had pointed us to a house and said that Shannon was in there, we would have been in there in seconds.”
He added: “People crawling out of the woodwork and making accusations were hampering the case and Shannon’s welfare.
“This is about getting Shannon, the family and the community back to normality. A lot of things going on out there are distracting from that.”
“Loner who chose name of soap ‘idol’”
Michael Donovan, 39, described as a “weird loner”, was born Paul Drake but changed his name to Mick Donovan.
Drake “developed a strange fascination for the celebrity Jason Donovan…it is believed he changed his name after being overcome by the Scott and Charlene wedding episode in 1988 featuring Donovan and Kylie Minogue.”
It gets better:
“However he was worried that calling himself Jason would leave him open to ridicule so he plumped for Michael.”
And not Kylie…
“He is 39 – same as the sop star…”
Jason Donovan is innocent.
DAILY MAIL (front page): “THE SUFFERING OF SHANNON”
Disturbing details of Shannon Matthews’s 24-day ordeal began to emerge last night. Police were coaxing out an account from the nine-year-old which is thought to have confirmed their fears about how she was treated.
Karen Matthews is a “mother of seven”
Disturbing, indeed. But that we already knew…
Pages 6 and 7: “What happened to you, Shannon?”
Good question. Shannon?
Suspect’s sister: “We thought he was gay”
Friendless, reclusive and taciturn, Mick Donovan fulfils many of the criteria for a neighbourhood oddball.
Susan Redshaw, 53, was largely responsible for bringing up her younger brother at the family home in Dewsbury. She knows him by his former name of Paul Drake.
She said: “To be honest he was always very weird. He never really said anything and he never had a girlfriend or any real friends. We all thought he was gay when he was younger. He was what I call a dreamer - someone who never really knew what he was doing in life.”
THE Melanie Philips Column: “Why Shannon is one more victim of the folly of ‘lifestyle choice’”
Is child abduction a lifestyle choice? Or a calling?
THE INDEPENDENT: “Police believe Shannon was not harmed during ordeal”
Police investigating the apparent abduction of Shannon Matthews are said to be “cautiously optimistic” that she was not harmed during her 24-day disappearance.
THE TIMES: “‘Shannon Matthews had not run away from home. This was a real abduction’
Police interviewing Shannon Matthews are certain that she was kidnapped and held captive during her 24 missing days. The nine-year-old’s story, which is slowly unfolding over several days of specialist questioning, has satisfied detectives that they are dealing with a genuine case of abduction…
Police insiders have also poured scorn on a theory that Shannon’s disappearance was a hoax staged by one or more members of her family in the hope of gaining the reward money offered for her safe return.
“Don’t be in any doubt. This is an incredibly serious case,” a police source told The Times.
Anyone tell the Express?
The Times understands that several people who formed part of Shannon’s extended family had criminal convictions for a wide variety of offences, some of them - but not Mr Donovan - for sex crimes involving children.
DAILY TELEGRAPH: “Shannon’s complex family tree held up police”
“Officers were trawling through Shannon’s complex family tree when they received information that led them to the flat of Michael Donovan - Mr Meehan’s uncle.
Mr Donovan’s two daughters, aged 10 and 12, were in care and he lived alone, although he had no convictions for sexual offences. Mr Donovan’s ex-wife Sue Bird has six children by three fathers.
A senior police source said: “We would have got to Donovan eventually but someone we spoke to told us something that pushed him up the list.”
Who? who gets the reward?
Posted: 17th, March 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (213) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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March 18th, 2008 at 3:34 am
We do not know who has taken Madeleine or why, and there is certainly no……reason to stop looking.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
this heather mills business - we should all have a dowry ;):
March 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Heather Mills top news- what a laugh- never mind about anything else - sickning
March 17th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Hi happy 30
It’s a sad state of affairs - glad to know someone cares- there has been very little interest in this girls fate for some reason. The sad thing is how may more Shannon’s are there out there who do not get ‘rescued’ by some twist of circumstances.
Fogetting class, staus and looks, Shannon has the same needs as Madelieine had - a right to parents who cared and spent time with them, not parents who hit the bottle.
The first thing they all did (shannon’s neighbours) was open the booze at news of her return.
That unfortunately is the true reflection of todays society no matter what so called ‘class’ a person may be- no wonder the government want a cover up!!
The reason Madeleine disappeared was because the parents desire to get ‘pissed’ came before the welfare of the child- I agree they are GUILTY- first of all for not giving a dam about the children as it was a fun time for the parents- and the rest is left to speculation and there is a lot of that as exactly how she disappeared and I will lay the odds high that alcohol played a big part in it.
So isn’t it about time the McCann’s admitted their neglect, and why wasn’t their children taken away and questioned?
March 17th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Yes Pat, Im here!
Well what does it say about the mother? I know its easy to speculate seeing as, we the public, are never given any information but i do think the only reason this child has not been reunited is due to the fact she would be put at serious risk! There is going to be an awful lot of explosive news coming our way over the next few tense days! I know it sounds bad, but im sure im not alone in desperatley wanting to know the full story behind this case! Maybe we all just want more news than is obviously apparent, she hated living at home and went to live with somone that promised she would be ok, for whatever his own reasons were too. It will all be revealed! As for McCanns - GUILTY
March 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
any one still here ?
March 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
206 pat
kidding.
but the situation here is attrocious and not much better.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
204
pat Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
—-
I believe that it is common for police not to allow physical contact when a case is still under investigation. One person could either quickly whisper something inappropriate in the other’s ear or squeeze too tightly to send a threatening message meaning something like “keep your mouth shut”, etc. Unfortunate steps to take, but necessary.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
are you being satirical or are you serious about sharia law…?
March 17th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
2003
You have got to be kidding- Sharia law
March 17th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
pat 202
what can be done?
nothing!
As Britain becomes more immeshed in Europe and the world we’ll see old ways of child-hatred aren’t the best ways. And maybe introduction of Sharia will bring families together!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
200
I don’t believe them
That is true to a certain extent- that is something the Portuguese could not understand about the McCann’s going out to eat without their children. In Britain unfortunately, and Clarence said it- children are put to bed early so parents can enjoy themselves… like children are an appendage or somehow a burden that needs off loading at every opportunity, instead of being included fully in all family activities. It reflects the structure of our hierarchical society of them and us. For example, Royalty and the commoner, working class, middle class and so forth, like a pecking order and somehow it has rooted it self in the way children are viewed within the family structure. Unfortunately the government is further eroding the family by providing every means possible for us to leave our children with whomsoever and go out to work. However the rising cost of housing and other necessary recourses are forcing parents, who otherwise would prefer to spend at least the formative years with their children, to go out to work.
So what to do?
March 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
This can’t get any better.
The lawyer that was paying for the search in the reservoir said it was just a dream that led him to that place? But we heard him last week on television saying it was tip off from the underworld.
Why is no one asking how he managed to get financing from a construction company, on the basis of a dream or a tip off letter? If someone was able to clarify how he got a private construction company to pay for 2 weeks of professional divers’ time - I’m pretty sure we’d be a lot closer of finding out those involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
165 ian, 181 jo
the mccanns are a sign of an older form of evil - the deep hatred of children that many in this country still feel.
Not all parents in the UK hate their children but it runs very very deep in the UK - that children should be seen and not heard and that children prevent adults from having a good time or making money so adults can have a good time. A good time being getting drunk and playing tennis.
the belief that babies and older could and should be raised by other people - experts in childraising - nannies, teachers, childminders - and that the parents are wasting their time spending with their children. Role models include the royal family. Any parent who drops everything to care for her or his child is considered a loser or odd or obsessive - or worse.
every person who leaves britain is amazed at how much children are loved in other countries.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I think most have gone to the new thread.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Firestar
173
Well, I don’t. But I didn’t.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
193 Justlooking
Nah……….too obvious, we don”t want to be associated in any way with the you know
what Fund. Something like “Help us to help ? Don”t think Bear Sterns can afford a
contribution…..another one bites the dust!!!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
141
Scarlett : Coldwater
=
Clarrie : McCs.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
16Morning Coldwater - Is the “famous five” a hint that 2 have jumped ship?
3 Scarlett
Just checked out the thread, BF is right, it”s not easy to read. Found this,
Iv”e b……d it up again, but you can see the sentence .
March 17th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
167
Val
What about ‘ LAVARDO3′ ?
Or does that sound too dirty laundry?
March 17th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
156
Ian
I agree with you that sadly Maddie is no longer with us.
Perhaps they are turning to religion because although they can get the best defence out of our justice system with money,they feel they have not done ‘right’ for Maddie. On the other hand, a cynic might say that the religion thing is just an expansion of their marketable audience. Catholics, IMO are v generous donators!
On the subject of the MCs helping other missing children, if they make the ultuistic gesture, donate all monies gained from litigations and settlements to missing children
charities, it would certainly do their public image much good. Do you think there is any chance of that happening?
March 17th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
159
Ian Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 12:42 pm e
SteveT.
Hi,
What do you make of Anoraks new focus on Shannon headlines?
*********************
Hi Ian,
What do you think of Anorak’s new focus on Shannon headlines?
Reflecting the current focus of the newspapers headlines?
Giving posters the opportunity to comment on the media’s handling of the latest ‘big’ story?
Reflecting Editorial decisions?
A little surprised to find you on this thread, would have thought you’d be on the current thread discussing the news of Madeleine!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
my daughter made me laugh yesterday, because she has a conditional offer for cambridge uni, and i want her to go but she’s not so sure.
i said go, because it’ll set you up for life and you’ll be able to work anywhere, to which she replied
‘my headmaster got a phD at cambridge, but he’s still stuck in rotherham.
there’s perceptions for you.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Hi all,
Very interesting and a lot of controversy, even though these points on the McCanns are so pertinent, why are we side tracking from the sad case of Matthews?
I was hoping there maybe someone out there that shares a similar view of mine?
The McCanns have been allowed to get away with murder excuse the double entendre, but you do not leave 3 children alone! Regardless of “who” you may be or where your eating your lavish dinner with friends! When at what point did social services ask if there was a case of neglet? Matthews has not even been able to feel secure and safe in her mums arms? I know this brings up a whole new issue but if there are any people out there with anything to say about the current news on a missing child being found, then i’ll be glad to hear your thoughts.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Although Shannon is just as important as Madeleine, there are not the unanswered questions in her case. The papers are basically reporting the facts and we are regularly updated on the progress.
————
i must be reading different papers.
the ones i saw said it was the mother, the family or maybe old mother riley, and that she did\didn’t run away and was\wasn’t harmed.
still, a fact is only something people think is correct anyway, not a truth.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
New Madeleine thread!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I rounded my 2.4 children up to 3
March 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
windscale had that many nuclear families they changed it’s name to sellafield.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
179
i was born is s.yorks, it was a self-declared nuclear free zone then.
we had conventional families.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Ian,
Although Shannon is just as important as Madeleine, there are not the unanswered questions in her case. The papers are basically reporting the facts and we are regularly updated on the progress. In other words, I do not personnaly use this site to keep informed on Shannons situation, although it was the first place I heard that she had been found.
Madeleine’s situation, on the other hand, is clouded in mystery with many anomolies. If it wasnt for this site ,and others, I would be none the wiser of the speculation, although I would have still had my own suspicions.
As for Anoraks focus, it is for them to decide, although it would appear that many of the frequent visitors want to talk about Madeleine what ever the subject thread is. Are you hinting at legal action against continuous Madeleine threads and the speculation being generated?
March 17th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
174
i doubt you’d need much of a lawyer to sue the express actually, as i remember their front pages were even contradicting themselves most days.
i suppose you could argue that they have printed every possible scenario so one of them is probably something like right.