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Sunday, 16 January 2011

Killed Newlywed Photo Released Before Funeral

7:10pm UK, Sunday January 16, 2011

Steph Oliver, Sky News online

A new honeymoon photo of murdered Michaela McAreavey has been released by her husband ahead of her funeral tomorrow.

McAreavey Family handout photo of John and Michaela McAreavey on their honeymoon

Family handout photo of Michaela and John McAreavey on their honeymoon

The picture - taken by a passer-by - shows the pair together on a balcony with lights flickering on the water behind them.

They were on their honeymoon in Mauritius when Mrs McAreavey was strangled when she interrupted thieves in their hotel room on Monday.

John McAreavey took the decision to share the image as he prepared to bury his wife beside the church where they married just after Christmas.

He has also released another picture of the couple outside of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to show how much she meant to him.

Irish President Mary McAleese and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams will attend the funeral service a few miles outside the Co Tyrone village of Ballygawley on Monday afternoon.

McAreavey Family handout photo of John and Michaela McAreavey outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

Michaela and John McAreavey outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

Mrs McAreavey, a devout Catholic, was the daughter of Mickey Harte, the celebrated manager of Tyrone's gaelic football team.

Her coffin will be taken from her parent's home where hundreds have visited during a two-day wake.

Players from Harte's Tyrone team and his home club Errigal Ciaran will form a guard of honour.

A marquee for 300 people has been erected in the church grounds to cope with some of the overspill from the 400-capacity chapel.

The service will be led by Mr McAreavey's uncle, Bishop John McAreavey, who married the couple on December 30.

family handout photo of John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway, in North Antrim.

John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway, in North Antrim

Michaela's rosary beads, a pin representing her abstinence from alcohol, a Fainne emblem symbolising her love of the Irish language and a Tyrone jersey are all expected to be placed at the altar.

After mass, her coffin will be carried over a small stream to the adjoining cemetery for burial.

Mrs McAreavey's body was brought to the house on Friday night, ending the long journey from the Indian Ocean island.

Anglican Archbishop of Mauritius Ian Ernest said he felt his community wanted to seek forgiveness from the Irish people.

"There are lessons to learn for all of us but our country is a peaceful country, our country is a beautiful country and we have lots to offer to the world," he added.

Legends Hotel

Legends Hotel where body of Michaela McAreavey was found

Three employees at the Legends Hotel where she was killed have been charged in connection with the death, two with murder and one with conspiracy to murder.

Police say one of the accused, room attendant Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, has confessed to the killing.

His co-accused, floor supervisor Sandip Moneea, 41, has denied any involvement.

It is understood Treebhoowoon admitted the crime to officers after the third accused, fellow room attendant Raj Theekoy, 33, made a statement implicating him and Moneea.

Theekoy is charged with conspiracy because he allegedly passed along the corridor outside the room while the struggle was taking place but, despite hearing screams, failed to report it.

Skin tissue found under Mrs McAreavey's fingernails could prove crucial to the police case against the two accused. The results of DNA tests are due in the next few days.

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