MANCHESTER police were still questioning a man yesterday over the abduction of a five year old girl, who is a member of the Irish travelling community. She disappeared on Sunday, from her bedroom.
Sgt David Cooper, of Oldham police, appealed to the residents of Roundthorn Estate, in Greater Manchester, where Rosemary McCann was last seen, to search their sheds, vehicles and premises for the girl.
He added that Rosemary's natural father, who is believed to be Irish, has contacted the police and was interviewed yesterday. The girl's mother, Mrs Josephine Mahon (27), of Kipling Road, Oldham, also has a son aged five and a seven year old daughter, and she is said to be "extremely distressed."
Police refused to state whether the 31 year old man, who is known to the family and has now been detained for two days following Rosemary's abduction, is being cooperative.
Rosemary disappeared early on Sunday morning after her babysitter fell asleep. Mrs Mahon, who had earlier had a row with her partner, Mr Andrew Pountley (31), last saw her daughter at about 12.20 a.m. when she checked on her three children in their bedrooms. Two hours later, when Mrs. Mahon returned home after visiting a friend, she discovered her daughter was missing.
Several neighbours witnessed Rosemary, who was only wearing her pyjamas and a silver coat, being carried out of the house by a man. A motorist has also told the police that he offered a man and a girl, answering her description, a lift to the Roundthorn Estate in Oldham early on Sunday morning.
