The evidence against the three men provisionally charged in relation to the murder of Irishwoman Michaela Harte in Mauritius is circumstantial, the island’s police commissioner Dhun Rampersad has revealed.
“They have not confessed but we have circumstantial sort of evidence but we are trying to find some other evidence to link them to the charge,” he said.
Ms Harte, the daughter of Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled in a bedroom of the Legends Hotel in the fishing village of Grand Gaube on Monday.
The murder took place while she was on honeymoon with her husband John McAreavey, the former Down footballer.
Investigating officers believe the 27-year-old was wrestled to the ground, dragged into the bath tub and strangled before the water was turned on. Police believe she came face to face with at least one attacker who used a dummy swipe card to gain access to the room.
According to local reports, Ms Harte was by the pool and Mr McAreavey was playing golf prior to the incident. He joined her later by the pool before heading to the restaurant. After lunch, Mr McAreavey stayed in the restaurant, while Ms Harte went back to her room to fetch some biscuits.
Mr McAreavey went to look for his wife after she had been gone for 10 minutes and found the hotel room door locked.
He knocked but did not receive any response so he went to reception and a hotel employee accompanied him back to Room 1025 where they used a master card to open the door.
The hotel staff member then left the scene while Mr McAreavey, an accountant, went inside and discovered the body of his wife of just 12 days.
He immediately alerted reception and the hotel doctor was called in.
Police investigating the murder have examined CCTV surveillance tapes as part of their case. There was no evidence of a break-in, leading police to believe that entry was gained with an electronic key.
Mr Ramersand said the use of a key card to open the couple’s bedroom door was critical to the case.
“Not all people have access to these cards,” he said.
The police chief also confirmed that Ms Harte may have tried to fight off her attacker.
“There is some signs, indications, that she might have struggled. From what we have obtained from her nails, the collections we have obtained from her nails, it looks like there may have been some struggle,” he said.
He said officers identified the suspects by checking who had access to the ground floor of the hotel and the rooms on that level.
“I suspect the guy was in trying to rob and the lady caught him red-handed. I’m just guessing,” he told RTE radio.
“I’m saying we have a very open mind. There may have been some other guy who did the job,” he said.
It is hoped a trial will take place within six months.
Mr Rampersad also said investigating officers would prefer Mr McAreavey to stay on the island for a few more days, until early next week, to help with the inquiry.
Michaela’s brother, Mark Harte, as well as her husband’s brother and parents have arrived in Mauritius to help with arrangements to take her body back to Northern Ireland and the funeral at St Malachy’s Church, close to the family home outside Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, where she married on December 30th.
It is understood the families are hoping to have her body home by this weekend.
An Irish diplomat is already there and the Irish Ambassador to South Africa, Brendan McMahon, is also due in Mauritius later today to offer consular assistance.
Yesterday, Mr Harte issued an emotional statement describing his daughter as “a lovely girl, a wonderful daughter” and a “gem” whose wedding day on December 30th had been a special day for both families.
Michaela, an Irish language teacher at St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon, and her husband were on the second stage of their honeymoon after flying to Dubai.
The Mauritian tourism minister Nando Bodha said Ms Harte’s murder was the worst crime ever to be committed against a tourist in the country.
He said he had spoken to John McAreavey immediately before going on Irish radio yesterday and had asked him if he wanted him to say anything about his wife on air. He said Mr McAreavey replied: “I love my wife.”
Additional reporting PA