Was Charles O'Neill in Portugal and have any of his victims been GIRLS?

"Charles O’Neill, 47, is believed to have been in Portugal in 2007 when Madeleine disappeared while on vacation with her family."

...believed by whom???

According to Antonella Lazzeri, Ithaisa Suarez was told by Spanish police investigating the disappearance of her son, Yeremi Vargas that  "they believe Maddie and Yeremi may have been targets of the same gang."

Also, according to Lazzeri, Suarez said Charles O'Neill "was interviewed by police looking for Yeremi. They found no evidence."

• 17 June 2010:
  Distraught Yeremi's mother begs holidaymakers not to forget her son  Tenerife News
   
• 15 June 2010:
  Madeleine McCann: Mother of missing boy thinks jailed killer is key to finding son and missing girl  Spokane Examiner, Cindy Adams
   
• 14 June 2010:
  'Jailed killer holds key to Maddie hunt'; Plea by lost lad's mum   Antonella Lazzeri, The Sun ("The mother of a missing boy yesterday urged police to quiz a jailed murderer she believes holds the key to finding her lad and Madeleine McCann.")
   
• 13 June 2010:
  I pray my Yeremi will be found but cannot hide dark thoughts.. I know they took him   Steve Smith, Sunday Mail  (NO mention of connection between O'Neill and Maddie - this quote: "The case has torn my family, the island and the whole of Spain apart - he is our Madeleine McCann and there has been huge publicity.")
   
• 13 June 2010:
  Truth Plead  Anna Smith, News of the World (Will continue searching for original - article was found on Factiva database.  Quote: "Police believe O'Neill, below, may have been in the Algarve when Madeleine McCann vanished. ")
   
• 11 June 2010:
  Killer paedo is Maddie suspect; Beast guilty of mum's slaughter He's linked to missing children   Antonella Lazzeri, The Sun (401 words)(Article on Factiva database)
  
  
  ***
  11 June 2010:
  Life for murder paedo wanted by Maddie tecs   Antonella Lazzeri, The Sun (355 words) (Article online)
   
• 11 June 2010:
  Madeleine McCann team to question jailed paedophile Charles O'Neill  Metro  ("Charles O'Neill, a 'ruthless and unrepentant' paedophile jailed for life for murder, will be questioned by the Madeleine McCann investigation team who suspect he may be linked to her disappearance, it's been reported.")
  
  

And a very old article.  Reporter "John McCann" - who, as far as I know, has no connection to Madeleine's family.

• 3 July 1998:
  Police question two over missing woman   John McCann, The Scotsman