Michaela McAreavey’s family condemn ‘repugnant’ photographs printed in Mauritius

Mr Treebhoowoon claimed that he was beaten for three days before he confessed
to the crime, and Mr Moneea was proved to have been on the telephone to his
sister at the exact time when Mrs McAreavey was said to have died.

The jury reached unanimous “not guilty” verdicts on both men after
deliberating for just two hours.

Mr McAreavey left the court shortly after the verdict was announced, and flew
home to Ireland on Friday night.

It is unclear how the Sunday Times obtained the pictures of his wife’s body
after her death, which it billed on its front page with an “Exclusive”
tag.

The court heard previously that scenes of crime pictures showing the immediate
aftermath of the Irish honeymooner’s death were in black and white, but it
is not yet known whether the Sunday Times had obtained the same pictures.

Whatever its origin, the leak will increase pressure on the Mauritian police
and prosecution authorities who have faced severe criticism for the
allegations of torture and for holes in their investigation, which are seen
as having contributed to Thursday’s result.

In a statement released by a family spokesman, the Harte and McAreavey
families said the emergence of the pictures was one more upset following a
devastating week.

“As the families struggle to come to terms with the result from the
trial, this reprehensible and repugnant action by this newspaper is not only
insensitive to their grief but it marks another low in the treatment of
John, the two families and the dignity of Michaela,” the statement
read.

“The Mauritian authorities need now to match their words with actions and
ensure that insensitive reporting by newspapers within their jurisdiction
does not further exacerbate the violation of Michaela and the hurt to John.”

Dick Ng Sui Wa, the Mauritian lawyer who acted as a watching brief for John
McAreavey during the trial, said he will refer the matter to the country’s
Director of Public Prosecutions and Commissioner of the Police.

Enda Kenny, the Irish prime minister, said he would be demanding answers from
the Mauritian authorities over the pictures.

“The publication of these images represents an appalling invasion of
privacy and is a gross affront to human dignity,” he said.

“There are issues of fundamental human rights in question in relation to
this deeply upsetting matter,” he said.

“This reprehensible act can only add to the pain and suffering of the
McAreavey and Harte families and our thoughts and sympathies are again with
them at this time.”

Dr Navin Ramgoolam, the Mauritian Prime Minister, vowed on Friday to do
everything in his power to find the killers of Mrs McAreavey.

“The government and the people of Mauritius understand and continue to
share the grief and agony of the Harte and McAreavey families,” Dr
Ramgoolam said.

“The Government is considering all options concerning further action in
this matter, with a view to bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime
to justice.”

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