Claim defence is delaying Michaela trial

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.

Michaela, daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, was murdered at the Legends resort in Mauritius on January 10, just 12 days after marrying Down footballer John McAreavey.

Yesterday, the team prosecuting two men accused in relation to her killing said it had been ready to start the preliminary enquiry since Monday and that witnesses have been present since.