Three Arrested Over Harte Honeymoon Murder

Three hotel staff in Mauritius have been charged in connection with the murder of Michaela Harte on her honeymoon.

Two of the men are charged with murder and one with conspiracy to murder.

Michaela, 27, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled while on honeymoon at the Legends hotel in Mauritius.

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

The three in court are Abinash Treebhoowoon, 29, Sanbit Moneea, 41, and 33-year-old Raj Theekay.

The men would be provisionally charged before a magistrate before later going in front of a judge.

The electronic magnetic strip in the key cards used to enter the hotel room was the key in making the arrests.

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

On Tuesday, Mickey Harte paid tribute to his daughter.

He said: "She was a wonderful daughter, a brilliant sister for the boys and we will always treasure her.

"What a day she had on her wedding day. She was just radiant - a beautiful girl, I just love her to bits and so does all our family.

"Michaela was a wonderful lovely wee girl who grew into a beautiful lady. Just radiant. She is just so special.

"She will always be special to me and this family. We will miss her so much but we love her to bits and her spirit is with us still.”

He added: "We are equally sorry for poor John whom she adored and who adored her.

"They did not get long to share their lives with each other. It is just such a shame, our hearts are broken."

Mr Harte also appealed for privacy for the families and friends to allow them to grieve.

He added: "God save anybody from having to go to this place.

"This is our day to bear this cross."

(BMcN/GK)