13/01/2011

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.

Michaela, 27, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled on Monday while on honeymoon.

She married John McAreavey, a member of Down's Gaelic Football Team, on 30 December.

The development follows the revelation that a lawyer for Raj Theekoy - who is charged with conspiracy to murder - said his client had spoken to police and implicated the other two men.

All three men, currently remanded in police custody, will return to court next Wednesday, when they are expected either to be formally charged or released.

The electronic key cards and CCTV footage were key in making the arrests.

Last night, a police chief in Mauritius said that skin tissue found under the fingernails of Mrs McAreavey could prove crucial to the police case against the three men charged over her killing.

If convicted of murder in the "higher court" the men could face up to 47 years in prison.

It is believed that Mrs McAreavey's body will return home this evening with a funeral planned for early next week.

Mrs McAreavey's husband, John said: "I love my wife, very, very much and my world revolved around her.

"I can't describe in words how lost I feel as Michaela is not just the light of my life - she is my life," Mr McAreavey said.

The funeral Mass is expected to take place at the church where she was married - St Malachy's in Ballymacilroy, County Tyrone.

(BMcN)

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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.
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.
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.
11 January 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.
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.