Mauritian government agrees to reexamine Michaela case

The government of Mauritius has agreed to reexamine the Michaela McAreavey murder case more than a decade after the Tyrone woman’s death.

The announcement was made on Monday by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, following a series of talks with the government of the island nation.

The Harte and McAreavey families have campaigned for years for the case to be investigated once again, after two hotel workers were acquitted of her murder in 2012.

Foster and O’Neill met with Michaela’s family on Monday morning to update them on the progress of the talks.

First Minister Arlene Foster said, “The death of Michaela McAreavey whilst on honeymoon touched everyone across Northern Ireland. The fact that, more than 10 years later, no one has been brought to justice for this most dreadful crime only serves to compound the grief and pain endured by Michaela’s family.”

“I’m pleased that one of my last duties as First Minister was to update the family on this important progress and show my support for their unrelenting campaign.”

NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Speaking to the Strabane Chronicle last week, Michaela’s father and former Tyrone senior football manager Mickey Harte said the actions of the Mauritian government was ‘not good enough’.

“She was murdered in their jurisdiction and they have not yet held anyone responsible for that. The people who did that are still walking about and that is not good enough,” Harte said.

Deputy First Minister O’Neill said the truth was the very least Michaela’s family deserves.

“In pursuit of justice for Michaela, the Harte and McAreavey families have fought a decade-long battle with dignity and determination. We gave a commitment to support them in that battle and I’m encouraged that we have now received agreement from the Mauritian government to look again at the case,” O’Neill said.

“Michaela deserves justice and the very least her family deserve is truth. No stone should be left unturned in pursuing that, and we will continue to do all we can to see it delivered.”