Northern Ireland

Mickey Harte will continue to bring the murder of daughter Michaela 'into the public domain'

Former GAA Tyrone manager Micky Harte pictured recently taking part in the St Patrick's Way walk in Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann
Former GAA Tyrone manager Micky Harte pictured recently taking part in the St Patrick's Way walk in Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann Former GAA Tyrone manager Micky Harte pictured recently taking part in the St Patrick's Way walk in Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann

GAA manager Mickey Harte has vowed to continue to bring the murder of his daughter Michaela "into the public domain" as he criticised the authorities in Mauritius over their handling of the investigation.

Mr Harte said the family were unhappy that no-one had been held responsible for the killing and that the "people that did that are still walking about and that's not good enough".

In a What’s the Story podcast for the Ulster Herald, the former Tyrone manager also said "we want to make sure that it doesn't go away" for the Mauritian authorities.

Michaela was strangled in her hotel room shortly after having lunch with her husband John McAreavey while on honeymoon in January 2011.

Two hotel workers were acquitted of murdering the 27-year-old school teacher following a high-profile trial on the Indian Ocean island.

New investigations were launched and a reward of two-million Mauritian rupees (£40,000) was also offered for new information, but that also failed to lead to a breakthrough.

But Mr Harte, who now manages the Louth county team, said the family will continue to fight for justice for Michaela, despite the lack of progress by Mauritian authorities.

"Obviously we are very disappointed at the lack of progress that has been made there (in Mauritius) and I think they seem to think 'out of sight and out of mind' if we just try and put a lid on it, it will go away," he said.

"John, I know for sure, and our family, we want to make sure that it doesn't go away.

"We want to keep bringing it up, if it has to be done from time to time.

"We want to bring it into the public domain because we want those public authorities out there to know that we are not happy with what they have done since Michaela was murdered and that is the simple fact of the matter.

"She was murdered in their jurisdiction and they have not yet held anybody responsible for it so that people that did that are still walking about and that's not good enough."