Michaela McAreavey body to be flown home

PORT LOUIS — The body of the daughter of a high-profile Irish sports personality murdered whilst on her honeymoon in Mauritius could be repatriated as early as Thursday evening, Air Mauritius said."Everything has been done to enable the body to be transported (back to Ireland) via Britain this evening," said Donald Payen, a senior official with the Indian Ocean island's national carrier.Michaela McAreavey was found by her husband John McAreavey and hotel staff on Monday, strangled in their hotel room at the upmarket Legends hotel, on Mauritius' northern coast.The death has stunned Ireland -- the 27-year-old teacher and former beauty queen was the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football boss Mickey Harte, one of Ireland's best-known sporting figures.The victim's brother Mark Harte and Brian McAreavey, the brother of the bridegroom arrived Wednesday in Mauritius, Tourism Minister Nando Bodha said. Other family members are expected Thursday.Irish media have reported that Dublin's ambassador to South Africa Brendan McMahon has also arrived on the island to give consular assistance.Mauritius officials, anxious to limit the damage to the crucial tourism sector, have been at pains to emphasise that such crimes are almost unheard of on the island.Mauritius, surrounded by palm-fringed beaches and lagoons, is best known for top-end tourism and as a honeymoon destination. It welcomes nearly one million tourists a year.Paul Jones, the CEO of the group that owns Legends Hotel, offered his condolences to the families."We are a responsible company devoted to providing a quality service up to international standards. I've been working in the tourism sector in Mauritius for 35 years and this is the first time I've been faced by a tragedy on this scale," he said in a statement."The police are conducting an inquiry and we await the results of the investigation."On Wednesday, three cleaners at the five-star hotel where the McAreaveys were staying appeared in court and were provisionally charged with murder and complicity to murde

Add comment

Nick
Content

Submit