Four in Mauritius court over honeymoon murder

Four hotel workers will appear in court in Mauritius today in connection with the murder of Michaela McAreavey, who was strangled on her honeymoon.

All the men are staff at the luxury complex on the island where the 27-year-old was staying.

Room attendant Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, and floor supervisor Sandip Moneea, 41, have been charged with murder and room attendant Raj Theekoy, 33, with conspiracy to murder.

They were remanded in police custody last week and are expected to be remanded again today.

The fourth man, a security worker at the four-star Legends Hotel, was arrested in connection with the murder after the other three and is also expected to be remanded in police custody at today's brief hearing in Mapou in the north of the island.

He was named by police as 26-year-old Narayanen Dassen.

In Mauritius, suspects are routinely remanded in police custody three times before being remanded in jail.

Police said the hearing was a formality while they continued to investigate the case.

When detectives have completed their inquiry, they will hand over any evidence to the director of public prosecutions, who will decide which charges the suspects should stand trial for then refer the case to a magistrate before it proceeds to a higher court, police said.

This process is likely to take some time.

Inspector Ranjit Jokhoo, investigating the murder, said: "The case has been fast-tracked but will take six months minimum to proceed to court."

On Monday around 3,000 people attended the funeral of the Irish language teacher, who was the daughter of Tyrone GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) manager Mickey Harte.

The newlywed from near Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, is thought to have been killed as she disturbed a burglary in her hotel room.

She was buried in her wedding dress at St Malachy's church outside the Northern Irish village.