11/01/2011

Michaela Harte Strangled On Honeymoon

Mauritius police have confirmed that Michaela Harte, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was strangled.

The 27-year-old Irish woman, was found dead while on honeymoon at the Legends hotel in Mauritius.

Her husband John McAreavey, a member of Down's Gaelic Football Team, is not a suspect after the couple married on 30 December.

Police in Mauritius are examining CCTV footage from the hotel and will question six people today in connection with the killing. A post-mortem examination revealed marks on Mrs McAreavey's neck.

It is understood she went up to their hotel room to collect something, and when she failed to return, Mr McAreavey, who remained in the restaurant, went to look for her and found her body.

An official from the Irish Embassy in Pretoria in South Africa is currently en-route to assist Mr McAreavey.

The couple booked into the hotel last Saturday and were due to leave on Sunday.

Superintendent Yoosoof Soopun, from the Mauritius Police Force, told the Press Association officers were confident of an arrest later today.

He confirmed the killer had used an electronic key card to enter the room.

He said: "There was no forced entry into the room. Whoever killed her definitely used an electronic card."

Mrs McAreavey was a former contestant in the Rose of Tralee pageant, and taught Irish at St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

She was very close to her father and was at his side on the three occasions his team won the all-Ireland championship at Croke Park, Dublin, in 2003, 2005 and 2008.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew, have extended their deepest sympathies to the Harte and McAreavey families.

Kieran McCarthy, Alliance MLA, said: "This is absolutely tragic news and my thoughts are with both families as they try to come to terms with what has happened.

"Michaela was a friendly and familiar face who was never far from her dad at any Tyrone matches. She will be very much missed and everyone in Tyrone and across Northern Ireland is in shock at present.”

(BMcN/GK)

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20 June 2011
Men Face Court Over McAreavey Killing
Two men accused of the murder of Michaela McAreavey, 27, are expected to appear in court in Mauritius later today. Mrs McAreavey, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled in her hotel room while on her honeymoon in Mauritius in January.
18 January 2011
Michaela's Family Robbed By An 'Evil Act'
Northern Ireland's Harte family have lost their "precious daughter", and her husband has been "robbed of his beautiful wife" by an "evil act", said Bishop John McAreavey at the funeral service of Michaela McAreavey.
14 January 2011
Body Of Michaela McAreavey Arrives Home
The body of Michaela McAreavey has now arrived home to Northern Ireland. Members of the Harte and McAreavey families met with the plane carrying her body at George Best Belfast City Airport. Michaela, 27, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled on Monday while on honeymoon.
17 January 2011
Thousands Attend Michaela's Funeral
The funeral of Michaela McAreavey, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football boss Mickey Harte, has taken place. Thousands of mourners attended the funeral, including Irish president Mary McAleese and Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. The Funeral Mass began at 1230 GMT.
13 January 2011
Accused 'Confesses To Harte Murder'
Police in Mauritius have alleged that one of the three men charged in connection to the killing of Michaela Harte has confessed to the killing. Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, appeared in court on Wednesday, along with Sandip Moneea, 41, and Raj Theekoy, 33.