Madeleines Great Uncle?

by EJW 05.08.12 16:13

Hello all

I have just finished reading a book by Rose Rouse called Missing People (published Feb 2008). The first chapter is about Madeleine. In the first few paragraphs the release of pink balloons in Leicestershire, to coincide with Madeleines fourth birthday, is described. The person coordinating the balloon release is named as Brian Kennedy, the Great Uncle of Madeleine.

I was unaware that Brian Kennedy was her Great Uncle, if indeed it is the same Brian Kennedy. Is there more information on here about this? Is this true? Mods please feel free to move this if this is in the wrong topic. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by **tigger** 05.08.12 16:53

EJW wrote:Hello all

I have just finished reading a book by Rose Rouse called Missing People (published Feb 2008). The first chapter is about Madeleine. In the first few paragraphs the release of pink balloons in Leicestershire, to coincide with Madeleines fourth birthday, is described. The person coordinating the balloon release is named as Brian Kennedy, the Great Uncle of Madeleine.

I was unaware that Brian Kennedy was her Great Uncle, if indeed it is the same Brian Kennedy. Is there more information on here about this? Is this true? Mods please feel free to move this if this is in the wrong topic. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A Brian Kennedy is indeed Maddie's great-uncle (Kate's uncle) but the Brian Kennedy of double glazed windows, football clubs and rugby clubs is a different and possibly far more interesting person. He was bankrolling the mcCanns for no other reason than that he wanted to, he contacted witnesses in the case and has altogether been invaluable - a word than can be interpreted any way you like.

by Guest 05.08.12 17:04

Nothing to do with Brian Kennedy but, just for curiosity's sake (all right, nosiness!) can anyone find out anything about Hugh McCann, Gerry's father's younger brother? He is variously described as having died in 1999 and yet somehow managed to go on the Donegal trip in April 2007!

by EJW 05.08.12 17:21

Thanks Tigger[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] that's cleared that up for me. For a minute there I was rather confused as I had always assumed that Brian Kennedy got involved for his own "altruistic" reasons and then I read that he was her Great Uncle !? Confusion over.

EJW

by Nina 05.08.12 17:25

EJW wrote:Thanks Tigger[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] that's cleared that up for me. For a minute there I was rather confused as I had always assumed that Brian Kennedy got involved for his own "altruistic" reasons and then I read that he was her Great Uncle !? Confusion over.

EJW

I am sure he got in touch for his own reasons, not sure about the altruism though.

by Guest 05.08.12 17:48

Nina wrote:
EJW wrote:Thanks Tigger[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] that's cleared that up for me. For a minute there I was rather confused as I had always assumed that Brian Kennedy got involved for his own "altruistic" reasons and then I read that he was her Great Uncle !? Confusion over.

EJW

I am sure he got in touch for his own reasons, not sure about the altruism though.

***
I doubt the altruism too & I can only think of 2 possible other reasons, one of which is money white wash. I will not mention the other one.

by EJW 05.08.12 22:31

Châtelaine wrote:
Nina wrote:
EJW wrote:Thanks Tigger[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] that's cleared that up for me. For a minute there I was rather confused as I had always assumed that Brian Kennedy got involved for his own "altruistic" reasons and then I read that he was her Great Uncle !? Confusion over.

EJW

I am sure he got in touch for his own reasons, not sure about the altruism though.
***
I doubt the altruism too & I can only think of 2 possible other reasons, one of which is money white wash. I will not mention the other one.

Hence the quotation marks. I am under no illusion that anything he has done has been for altruistic reasons.

by **tigger** 06.08.12 8:30

Jean wrote:Nothing to do with Brian Kennedy but, just for curiosity's sake (all right, nosiness!) can anyone find out anything about Hugh McCann, Gerry's father's younger brother? He is variously described as having died in 1999 and yet somehow managed to go on the Donegal trip in April 2007!

It really is an exceptional family if that's the case. Is he part of the family reunion in April? One wonders where these 26/42/5/10 people stayed whilst visiting their Irish roots. It was the first visit ever for G&K McCann.
The Irish are a generous lot and there are a lot of American/Irish - surely a target group if one is selling a Celtic 'product'.
Perhaps the family reunion did take place prior to 1999 when Uncle Hugh was alive and included and the whole thing was moved to 2007.

by Guest 06.08.12 9:04

There are certainly some newspaper reports that state that Uncle Hughie was one of the McCann clan who went to Donegal in April 2007. They are I think (and hope) on the very interesting topic McCanns Easter break Donegal 2007.

I personally think that the Irish link was exaggerated to appeal to the kind heartedness of the Irish people and indeed they were very generous with donations to the fund. Another good marketing ploy methinks.