Harte and McAreavey families vow to continue fight

THE Harte and McAreavey families have vowed to continue to fight for justice on the 10th anniversary of the murder of Michaela McAreavey while on honeymoon in Mauritius.

In a statement issued today, they say that their determination to fight for justice remains undiminished, 10 years on from the murder of the Ballygawley schoolteacher.

“Over the course of the past 10 years, whilst learning to live with the massive loss of Michaela in our lives, we have also had to endure the sheer frustration in the face of multiple bare-faced lies from the Mauritian authorities that justice will be served in this case.

“They have repeatedly provided us with false hope when, in reality, there has been little meaningful progress in this case.”

Their call comes as the First and Deputy First Ministers in the Stormont Assembly requested a formal meeting with the Mauritian Prime Minister to discuss the issue.

Two former workers at the hotel where Michaela McAreavey and her new husband, John, were staying, were acquitted of her murder.

In the statement, the Harte and McAreavey families, said; “The pain of being denied justice is further compounded by the fact that Michaela’s murderers continue to walk free in Mauritius.

“Last year, letters requesting an update on this case were sent to the Mauritian government by the offices of the Executive Office of Northern Ireland and the Office of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, in September and November respectively.

“No response has yet been received. This lack of respect for us as a beareaved family and for our country’s diplomatic channels of communication speaks volumes about the Mauritian Government and, despite their public proclamations, their true feelings towards justice being delivered in this case.”