INVESTIGATION:THE BARRISTER for Avinash Treebhoowon, a Mauritian man police say has admitted being involved in Michaela Harte's murder, has asked the police complaints bureau to examine the investigating officers' methods of inquiry.
Ravi Rutnah told The Irish Timesvia telephone he believed his client was coerced by police into making his admission of guilt.
He said he wanted to get to the truth regarding Ms Harte’s death at the Legends Hotel and whether his client was involved in any way.
“I honestly believe that my client has been coerced into giving the statement.
“There are many elements of this case that do not add up. So I have called for an official investigation into their interrogation of him,” he said.
Mr Treebhoowon (29), is one of three hotel workers charged in connection with the murder of Ms Harte. Initially, he insisted to Mr Rutnah he had nothing to do with her murder, but police say he has now admitted being involved.
Co-accused Sandip Mooneea (41), is also charged with Ms Harte’s murder. However, he has so far denied any involvement, saying he was not present in the room when Ms Harte was killed.
The third accused, Raj Theekoy, has been charged with conspiracy to murder. After initially telling police he knew nothing of the murder, Mr Theekoy subsequently said he saw his co-accused coming out of Ms Harte’s room shortly before her body was found by her husband John McAreavey.
It has also emerged a room service manager, Jean Pascale La Charmante, was interrogated on Friday by the major crime investigation team about the loss of his electronic card, which gave him access to every room in the hotel.
The last time he used it was on January 7th. Instead of reporting the key missing, he used an electronic card from the security room which he returned at the end of the day.
Mr Charmante is not a suspect, but police believe his card was the one used to enter Ms Harte’s room. A second key witness in the case has also emerged, but his name is being withheld.
The three accused are due to appear in court again tomorrow.