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The investigation into the murder of Michaela McAreavey has been defined by sustained indifference, Stormont\u2019s deputy First Minister has said.<\/p>\nThe investigation into the murder of Michaela McAreavey has been defined by sustained indifference, Stormont\u2019s deputy First Minister has said.<\/p>\n
Michelle O\u2019Neill said she shared the view of the teacher\u2019s loved ones that not enough has been done to catch those responsible for her death while on honeymoon on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius in 2011.<\/p>\n
Mrs O\u2019Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster have now written a joint letter to Mauritian prime minister Pravind Jugnauth outlining the family concerns and urging him to take action.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said the 27-year-old\u2019s murder had brought \u201cabsolute devastation\u201d to her widower John and her family.<\/p>\n
Mrs McAreavey, who was the only daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football boss Mickey Harte, was murdered when she returned to her hotel room alone and disturbed a burglary.<\/p>\n
Two former hotel workers were acquitted after a high-profile trial on the holiday island in summer 2012.<\/p>\n
John McAreavey has pursued a long campaign for justice and has accused the Mauritian authorities of being more interested in preserving the island\u2019s reputation as a holiday destination than catching the killers.<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Neill said: \u201cAs the tenth anniversary of Micheala McAreavey\u2019s death approaches, myself and Arlene Foster as joint heads of government have written to the Prime Minister of Mauritius to request that the government there do all that they can to bring those responsible to justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cMicheala and John were spending time in Mauritius on their honeymoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was a popular young woman, a much loved daughter, a sister, and a wife.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer loss was acutely felt right across the island of Ireland and even beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom her untimely death, the McAreavey and Harte families have had serious concerns about the investigation. In the memory of Michaela, her family have fought a long battle for truth and for justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the family\u2019s contention that the Mauritian investigation is being defined by sustained indifference as they have no tangible evidence that the Malaysian authorities are serious about pursuing those responsible.<\/p>\n
\u201cI too share that view. The investigation did not and has not given confidence to the family that everything that could be done was being done.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result, no-one has ever been brought to justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to do all that we can to support both the Harte and the McAreavey families in their quest for justice for Michaela.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said: \u201cThis was a tragedy and we want to see justice done. I remember well travelling to the Harte home with (DUP colleagues) Peter Robinson and Maurice Morrow to sympathize with the Harte family.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy colleague Nelson McCausland was also there and prayed with the family that day for comfort and justice. That is still our prayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of us with children could fail to be moved with the absolute devastation caused by the murder against a background of a wonderful wedding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf our letter can in any way help move the investigation along, then it was the least we could do.\u201d<\/p>\n