Accused traded favours to get room access card

One of the men accused of the murder of Michaela McAreavey allegedly traded favours for a hotel access card that would allow him to steal from guests, his trial has heard.

The claim was put to Sandip Mooneea by detectives after he was arrested on suspicion of strangling the honeymooner in the luxury Legends Hotel in Mauritius.

Prosecutors believe the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football boss Mickey Harte was murdered by Mr Mooneea and co-accused and fellow hotel employee Avinash Treebhoowon when she caught them stealing from her room in Jan 2011.