Michaela thoughts calm me: Husband

THE widower of Michaela Harte-McAreavey, who was murdered in Mauritius just days into her honeymoon, has said he bears no anger towards her killers.

John McAreavey said four months after the horrific incident the memories of his 27-year-old wife have given him a “calmness” about what happened.

The former Down inter- county star made the comments during an in-depth documentary on the tragedy shown on RTÉ.

In the hour-long programme Michaela: Finding Peace, Tommie Gorman spoke to those closest to the daughter of renowned Tyrone GAA coach Mickey Harte on how they are attempting to come to terms with the loss.

“I’ve never felt any anger towards them... That’s from Michaela, she’s given me this calmness,” John McAreavey said.

Among the other close companions who also spoke about the January 10 murder were Michaela’s father Mickey Harte, her lifelong friend and bridesmaid Edel McCarron, family friend Fr Gerard McAleer and an uncle of John McAreavey, the Catholic Bishop of Dromore, Dr John McAreavey.

Dr McAreavey had officiated at the couple’s wedding ceremony in December.

The prime minister of Mauritius, where Michaela was killed, and the island’s director of public prosecutions also spoke to the programme makers, emphasising that a trial, involving suspects alleged to have been involved in the murder, is likely before the end of the year.

A number of workers who were all employed at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius where Michaela and John were on honeymoon have been charged with involvement in the murder.

The 27-year-old Tyrone woman had gone to her room for a biscuit when she was killed.

Her husband found her after becoming concerned about the length of time she was taking.

The couple were married on December 30. Less than a fortnight later, Michaela was laid to rest in her wedding dress.

The murder caused an outpouring of grief throughout both the Republic of Ireland and the North.

Thousands of people attended her wake and funeral.

They included Stormont minister Arlene Foster, who told the documentary the 27-year-old will not be forgotten by anyone in the North.

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