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Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 09:13 AM

Such a sad story, 3 staff members have this morning been arrested.

http://www.insideireland.ie/index.cf.../category/1123

The daughter of Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte has been murdered while on her honeymoon in Mauritius. Police in the Indian Ocean island have have stated that Michaela Harte, 27, was strangled and that they have begun a murder investigation.

Ten people are being sought forr questioning as part of the investigation. Superintendent Yussuf Soopun of the Major Crime Unit in Mauritius said Michaela's husband John McAreavey was not one of those suspects.

Ms Harte was found dead in her room at the Legends Hotel in the village of Grand Gaube. Police said the hotel room was in disarray and that they are examining CCTV footage from the complex.

An autopsy carried out this morning has determined that the 27 year old had been strangled.

Supt Soopun said her husband, Down footballer John McAreavey, was in the restaurant of the hotel when his wife was murdered. The police officer said investigators were examining whether her death was related to a burglary attempt.

“She had gone back to the room to get some biscuits to put in her tea and, when she failed to return, her husband went to look for her,” he said. "When he found her in the room, she had been killed. He tried to help her but she was already dead.

“There was no forced entry into the room,” he said. “Whoever killed her definitely used an electronic card.""This is being viewed with much concern by the police and government of Mauritius. We are doing everything we can to find whoever was responsible,” he added.

Michaela Harte married the Down footballer on 30 December. Her husband is a nephew of Dr John McAreavey, the Bishop of Dromore, who officiated at the wedding ceremony.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, Fr Gerard McAleer, who managed the Tyrone team along with Mickey Harte, said: "Yesterday afternoon I got a phone call from Mark, Michaela's older brother, and he told me he had bad news.

"When he said to me it was 'Our Michaela, our Michaela is dead', and his voice was breaking, my heart sank, and my heart was broken too. I have known Michaela all her life, from the day she came into the world and I had seen her over the years emerge as a very beautiful well-adjusted young woman.

"I was at her wedding, concelebrated the wedding mass, and then just like everyone else I'm bewildered. To hear that news this morning about the circumstances, it's beyond words."

A joint statement by Mickey Harte and Bishop McAreavey on Monday said they had been notified of the young woman's death.

"We ask for prayers for Michaela, John and their families and loved ones," the statement said. "Both families are deeply shocked and devastated by this tragic news and they ask for privacy and space at this time of profound grief."

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "We are providing consular assistance to the family of an Irish citizen who passed away in Mauritius."

Michaela Harte taught Irish Saint Patrick's Academy in Dungannon, Co Tyrone and was a former Rose of Tralee contestant. She is survived by her husband John, parents Mickey and Marian, and brothers Mark, Michael and Matthew.

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 09:16 AM

It's such a sad story! Such a lovely young girl with her whole life ahead of her! Her husband and family must be devastated... I only hope she didn't suffer too much

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 09:18 AM

I know, It would really turn you off going to these places on holiday as well.

InOne · 12-01-2011, 09:19 AM

I think I heard it was 3 of the hotel staff

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InOne

I think I heard it was 3 of the hotel staff

yeah, 3 hotel staff have been arrested, apparently it's impossible to get into the complex unless you're a guest or staff so it was most likely staff plus there was no forced entry to the room

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I know, It would really turn you off going to these places on holiday as well.

I've stayed in Mauritius twice and I have to say, I never felt unsafe or threatened.. I reckon they have quite a low crime rate.
However, outside these luxury resorts, the poverty is extreme, so there are bound to be the minority who see these tourists with more than they will ever have and decide to take what they can get..
Nobody really knows what happened yet, but it kind of looks like the girl interrupted some opportunists helping themselves and it's turned violent!
It's awful!

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyland

I've stayed in Mauritius twice and I have to say, I never felt unsafe or threatened.. I reckon they have quite a low crime rate.
However, outside these luxury resorts, the poverty is extreme, so there are bound to be the minority who see these tourists with more than they will ever have and decide to take what they can get..
Nobody really knows what happened yet, but it kind of looks like the girl interrupted some opportunists helping themselves and it's turned violent!
It's awful!

Oh have you? I was listening to people on the radio this morning talk about it and they pretty much said the same, not to leave the resort basically. But when you hear a story like this one, where it's the staff, how could you even feel safe in your hotel room.

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Oh have you? I was listening to people on the radio this morning talk about it and they pretty much said the same, not to leave the resort basically. But when you hear a story like this one, where it's the staff, how could you even feel safe in your hotel room.

I didn't stay in a resort like that, but in an area where there were a lot of non Mauritians. However, there was a town jst a mile or so down the road which we used to go into almost every day for the market etc and I have to say, it did feel safe and just very very laid back.
But I suppose just like anywhere else, there are the minority who turn to crime

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyland

I didn't stay in a resort like that, but in an area where there were a lot of non Mauritians. However, there was a town jst a mile or so down the road which we used to go into almost every day for the market etc and I have to say, it did feel safe and just very very laid back.
But I suppose just like anywhere else, there are the minority who turn to crime

That was brave of you, I'd be terrified after reading these kind of stories. Especially since I can't even blend in, I always feel like I stick out like a sore thumb when I go anywhere remotely hot, pale Irish skin :/

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh.

That was brave of you, I'd be terrified after reading these kind of stories. Especially since I can't even blend in, I always feel like I stick out like a sore thumb when I go anywhere remotely hot, pale Irish skin :/

Haha..no no, it wasn't brave at all.It was just a gorgeous wee town and the locals were lovely! You don't stick out too much in Mauritius as it has such a diverse culture.. There are muslims, catholics, hindus etc all living together in complete harmony. There are all different places of worship all in the same road almost and never any trouble.. It's actually a great place!

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyland

Haha..no no, it wasn't brave at all.It was just a gorgeous wee town and the locals were lovely! You don't stick out too much in Mauritius as it has such a diverse culture.. There are muslims, catholics, hindus etc all living together in complete harmony. There are all different places of worship all in the same road almost and never any trouble.. It's actually a great place!

I'm definitely finding the older I get, the more nervous I am. When I was in my late teens/early twenties I'd go any where, on my own even not a bother. I suppose you think you're invincible when you're younger!

It does sound like a nice place but stories like these are going to damage it especially since I'd say they rely heavily on tourism

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I'm definitely finding the older I get, the more nervous I am. When I was in my late teens/early twenties I'd go any where, on my own even not a bother. I suppose you think you're invincible when you're younger!

It does sound like a nice place but stories like these are going to damage it especially since I'd say they rely heavily on tourism

Oh yeah.. you definitely have an "it'll never happen to me" attitude when younger which slowly turns into "actually it could very well happen to me" as you get older..

I think in under developed counties such as Mauritius though, the locals are just as cautious of you as you are of them and I always think some attempted communication, a smile and showing you appreciate their country goes a long way (that should apply in all countries)

I do think this sort f crime could have happened anwhere in the world though and yeah I do agree that it could affect their tourism which is obviously a huge thing for them..

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyland

Oh yeah.. you definitely have an "it'll never happen to me" attitude when younger which slowly turns into "actually it could very well happen to me" as you get older..

I think in under developed counties such as Mauritius though, the locals are just as cautious of you as you are of them and I always think some attempted communication, a smile and showing you appreciate their country goes a long way (that should apply in all countries)

I do think this sort f crime could have happened anwhere in the world though and yeah I do agree that it could affect their tourism which is obviously a huge thing for them..

I also heard someone saying on the radio that they'll pin this on someone even if it's not the right person in order to get the case closed and finished with. I hope that's not the case though :/

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I also heard someone saying on the radio that they'll pin this on someone even if it's not the right person in order to get the case closed and finished with. I hope that's not the case though :/

Yip.. The government seem really corrupt over there actually.

My cousin had to leave in a hurry.. The gov told him if he didn't leave, he would be arrested and jailed. They decided all of a sudden that they didn't want BAA having anything to do with the running of their airport (that's who my cousin worked for) so he had to basically send his kids and wife immediately to South Africa and he left overnight that night..
Also when I was there, they arrested two airport workers that I knew personally for being gay... they had to pay the gov to be released and then they were told they couldn't work at the airport either!
Very strange place..

Niamh. · 12-01-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyland

Yip.. The government seem really corrupt over there actually.

My cousin had to leave in a hurry.. The gov told him if he didn't leave, he would be arrested and jailed. They decided all of a sudden that they didn't want BAA having anything to do with the running of their airport (that's who my cousin worked for) so he had to basically send his kids and wife immediately to South Africa and he left overnight that night..
Also when I was there, they arrested two airport workers that I knew personally for being gay... they had to pay the gov to be released and then they were told they couldn't work at the airport either!
Very strange place..

Jesus! That's scary stuff. I know we complain about our governments and stuff but at the same time, imagine being governed by places like that. It's like they're years behind in human rights issues.

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Jesus! That's scary stuff. I know we complain about our governments and stuff but at the same time, imagine being governed by places like that. It's like they're years behind in human rights issues.

Yeah,we should appreciate our advanced society I suppose.. Mind you just yards from where we stayed in Mauritius, there were families living in mud huts, the women would be out washing clothes in the river in the morning or picking fruit and the men were mostly fishermen.. Not the kind of life we're used to at all..but you have to kind of envy the simplicity of it all.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters · 12-01-2011, 10:35 AM

Z · 12-01-2011, 10:36 AM

Jesus, that's awful... on her honeymoon as well, how heartbreaking for her husband to have to live with those memories now...

!

Lee. · 12-01-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee

Jesus, that's awful... on her honeymoon as well, how heartbreaking for her husband to have to live with those memories now...

!

Yeah.. and the fact that he was the one who discovered her dead means that he'll have those images with him for life too. I really feel for him.. How do you start coming to terms with something like that?