THREE MEN are due to appear in court today in connection with the murder of Irishwoman Michaela Harte in Mauritius, the Department of Foreign Affairs said last night.
Local police have completed preliminary inquiries and are satisfied they have enough evidence to charge the three today. A police statement is expected this morning.
Ms Harte (27), the daughter of Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled in a hotel bedroom on Monday.
An autopsy report confirmed she died as a result of neck compression.
Six local people were questioned yesterday over her killing, which took place while she was on honeymoon with her husband John McAreavey, the former Down footballer.
Police investigating the murder are working on the assumption that she surprised a burglar who had entered the couple’s room at the Legends Hotel in the fishing village of Grand Gaube.
There was no evidence of a break-in, leading police to believe that entry was gained with an electronic key. Nothing was stolen and police believe Ms Harte struggled with her attacker before she was killed.
Yesterday Supt Yoosoof Soopun of the Major Crime Investigation Team confirmed that six local people were being questioned in relation to the murder and he believed that her killer would be caught soon.
“This is a high-profile case. We are working very hard and we are very confident that the case will be solved,” he said.
Police quickly ruled out her husband as a suspect.
According to local reports, Ms Harte was by the pool and Mr McAreavey was playing golf prior to the incident. He joined her later by the pool before heading to the restaurant. After lunch, Mr McAreavey stayed in the restaurant, while Ms Harte went back to her room to fetch some biscuits. She failed to return and Mr McAreavey went to look for her. He found her lying on her back near the bathroom. Attempts were made to resuscitate her.
Ms Harte’s brother Mark and a brother of Mr McAreavey are flying to Mauritius today. An Irish diplomat is already there and the Irish Ambassador to South Africa, Brendan McMahon, is also due in Mauritius today to offer consular assistance.
Yesterday, Mr Harte issued an emotional statement describing his daughter as “a lovely girl, a wonderful daughter” and a “gem” whose wedding day on December 30th had been a special day for both families.
The Mauritian tourism minister Nando Bodha said Ms Harte’s murder was the worst crime ever to be committed against a tourist in the country.
He said he had spoken to John McAreavey immediately before going on Irish radio yesterday and had asked him if he wanted him to say anything about his wife on air. He said Mr McAreavey replied: “I love my wife.”