One of the men accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey was told by police his own wife would be taken from him and given to the honeymooner's widower if he did not confess, his trial in Mauritius was told.

A defence lawyer who dramatically quit the trial of two men accused of murdering honeymooner Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius has been allowed to give evidence as a witness.

The trial of the two hotel workers accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey descended into near farce as a lawyer dramatically withdrew from the case and signalled his intent to appear as a witness.

It was not just like a closing line from a Hollywood movie… it actually was one.

The trial of two hotel workers accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey has been rocked after a lawyer dramatically withdrew from the case and signalled his intent to appear as a witness.

In a dramatic development in the Michaela McAreavey murder trial today, a defence lawyer for one of the two accused said he was withdrawing from the case.

After six testing days in court, it was the first marked sign of frustration from Michaela McAreavey’s family.

After six testing days in court it was the first marked sign of frustration from Michaela McAreavey's loved ones.

John McAreavey’s frantic bid to revive the body of his lifeless bride Michaela was outlined in harrowing detail as prosecutors opened the case against the men accused of her murder.

Police catastrophically failed to take crime scene photos that may have helped in the Michaela McAreavey murder investigation, a trial heard.

THE prosecuting counsel in the trial over the murder of Michaela Harte has accused the defence of playing “delaying tactics” in a bid to freeze the preliminary enquiry into the case.