Murder accused remanded in custody

FIVE workers from the Legends hotel in Mauritius charged with the murder of Michaela McAreavey have been remanded back into custody.

They appeared briefly at the District Court of Mapou last Wednesday morning January 26 where they were refused bail following police objections.

Inspector Ranjit Jokhoo said after the hearing: “We want to record as many statements from as many people as possible,” he said. “We are trying our best to get them (confessions) from all of them.”

The five face charges over the killing of Michaela, who was strangled and left in the bath of her honeymoon suite at the luxury Hotel on January 10. The 27-year-old teacher was the daughter of GAA boss Mickey Harte. Her husband, John McAreavey, lives in Laurencetown and is the captain of Tullylish’s Down Intermediate Championship-winning side.

The two men provisionally charged with her murder are Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Mooneea. Three others are accused of conspiring in the crime.

During the hearing the suspects were remanded in custody until tomorrow (February 2), when they will reappear at the same court.

A motion for a bail hearing has been fixed on February 14 after Devi Sookun, the legal representative of security officer Dassen Narrainen who is charged with conspiracy, made a request. One has also been placed by by Mooneea’s lawyer Navin Bhoyrul and it will take place on February 8. On the same date Treebhoowoon will also appear in court for a bail motion hearing.

Two other suspects — Raj Theekoy, a former room attendant, and Seenarain Mungoo, a security officer also appeared in court.

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