The widower of Michaela McAreavey has vowed to fight on for justice despite reports of the death of a key witness in the case.
Ms McAreavey (27), the only daughter of all-Ireland winning Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte, was strangled in her hotel room on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius on January 10th, 2011.
The Co Tyrone teacher, who was on her honeymoon when she was killed, having been married 10 days earlier, was attacked as she returned to her room alone and disturbed a burglary.
Two former workers at the luxury resort – Sandip Moneea and Avinash Treebhoowoon – were acquitted after a high-profile trial on the holiday island in the summer of 2012.
Raj Theekoy had testified to seeing the two men leaving her suite. There are reports on Monday that Mr Theekoy (43) was found dead in Mauritius on Sunday.
In a statement on Monday, John McAreavey said Mr Theekoy’s death is a tragedy for his family.
“Now is a time for their mourning and grief and nothing should intrude on that,” he said.
“When it comes to getting to the truth about Michaela’s murder, nothing has been straightforward in Mauritius and neither the Hartes or myself will be deterred from pursuing justice and truth. Not today, not tomorrow and not ever.
“We will be asking the authorities to assure us that no end will be spared in securing justice for Michaela.”
It was confirmed last June that the government of Mauritius had agreed to look again at the case. – Additional reporting PA
