Rich Tea memories of a model girl

A FORMER All-Ireland football star has revealed how Michaela Harte could never drink tea without also having a Rich Tea biscuit.

Broadcast commentator Martin McHugh, who won a 1992 All-Ireland with Donegal, told yesterday how he discovered Michaela’s love of taking biscuits with her tea.

He recalled travelling a few years ago with Michaela and his wife Patrice from Dublin when they stopped at a service station in Monaghan and he bought three cartons of tea.

Martin said: “I was just back in the car after handing out the tea when Michaela asked me if I wanted a biscuit. She said she could never drink a cup of tea without having her Rich Tea biscuit.”

He said Michaela had the biscuits in her bag.

Martin, who knew Michaela and her father well, said: “My heart really goes out to Mickey, his wife Marian and the three boys, Mark, Mattie and Michael, and to her husband John and the McAreavey family.”

Michaela Harte was well-known throughout Co Donegal, because she accompanied her dad Michael when he joined Tyrone players as they brought the All-Ireland cup on a tour of their neighbouring county.

She was also known as a fashion model in Donegal and frequently took time off from teaching in Dungannon to take to the catwalk at shows in McElhinney’s department store in Ballybofey.

Customers at a fashion show saw her in November 2009 parade a beautiful scarlet dress with black hat.

Senior manager with McElhinney’s Roisín Woods said: “Michaela did fashion shows over a period of three or four years. We had mutual friends and she delighted in helping us.

“She was such a wonderful girl, and so modest. She was a burning light, a genuine down-to-earth girl.

“She modelled for a bit of fun and people warmed to her. She carried herself with great elegance.”

Ms Woods added: “Everybody here is so upset at what happened. We are so, so sorry for her family.”