McAreavey investigation has ‘ground to a halt’, say families

The family of Michaela McAreavey, the Irish woman who was killed in a hotel in Mauritius in 2011, has said criminal investigations into her death seem to have ground to a halt.

The 27-year-old daughter of Co Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte was found dead in her hotel room in January 2011 while she was on honeymoon with her husband, John. Two hotel workers were acquitted of her murder after a seven-week trial on the Indian Ocean island in 2012.

In a statement to mark the second anniversary of the trial, the McAreavey and Harte families said they were more determined than ever that justice would be served.

They said they hoped a settlement could soon be reached with the hotel in respect of civil proceedings, but were “growing increasingly frustrated” by the slow progress of the criminal investigations.

“In particular, they have been disappointed by the reluctance of the Mauritian authorities to keep them updated with developments,” the statement said.

“It was promised by the Mauritian prime minister that justice would be done and would be seen to be done in this case. However, as time marches on and the criminal proceedings seem to have ground to a halt, this promise is ringing hollow.”

Michaela McAreavey’s body was found in the bath of the couple’s room at Legends Hotel, near the village of Grand Gaube, two days into her honeymoon. She had gone back to the room from a poolside restaurant to get some biscuits.

Police said she was murdered after disturbing thieves in her room. Five hotel workers were arrested over the killing and two were charged but later acquitted.

The Mauritian authorities came in for criticism over the investigation into Ms McAreavey’s death and a new team of detectives was assigned to begin a fresh investigation after the trial in 2012. They interviewed witnesses and collected DNA samples, and it was reported last year that they had identified a new suspect. No further charges have been brought, however.

In late 2012 John McAreavey and five other members of Ms McAreavey’s family entered civil proceedings against the Legends Hotel, now known as Lux Resorts. They claimed damages amounting to the equivalent of €1.6 million.

The families claimed this would cover the funeral arrangements, the price of air tickets and legal costs, annual salaries forfeited after Ms McAreavey’s death and “moral damages”.

They indicated the damages and interest paid would be transferred to the Michaela Foundation Trust, which funds education projects in Ireland.