THE PROVISIONAL trial of the men accused of murdering Michaela Harte will take place in Mauritius in June, it was confirmed yesterday.
Prosecutors will lay out their case against hotel workers Avinash Treebhowon (29) and Sandip Mooneea (41) over three days from June 21st.
Today the pair appeared briefly in court to hear confirmation that all parties involved in the case had agreed the dates for the hearing.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Treebhowon’s lawyer Ravi Rutnah said the provisional hearing would take the form of a “trial before a trial”. “Over three days the state will call its witnesses to give their evidence and we will see the bones of the police case against the accused,” he said.
“The magistrate will then rule whether she believes the case is sufficiently strong to justify a proper trial in a higher court.”
Cleaner Mr Treebhowon and his supervisor Mr Mooneea both face provisional charges of murder after Ms Harte (28), daughter of Tyrone county football manager Mickey Harte, was found dead in her room at the Legends hotel on January 10th.
The former Rose of Tralee contestant, from Ballygawley in Co Tyrone, was just three days into her honeymoon with her new husband John McAreavey (31) when she died. Officials said yesterday it was not thought likely that Mr McAreavey would be called to give evidence at the preliminary inquiry. He may be called to testify at a later date if the matter proceeds for a full trial.