Two appear in court in connection with McAreavey killing

Two hotel workers accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey have appeared in court in Mauritius.

Aveenash Treebhoowon (aged 30) and 41-year-old Sandip Moneea are accused of murdering the 27-year-old while she was on honeymoon in the Legends Hotel in January.

The preliminary court proceedings - which got underway earlier at the Mapou District Court - are expected to last three days and will determine who can be called as witnesses in the full trial.

Defence lawyers for the accused men told the court that they have not been furnished with medical reports of two witnesses: Michaela's husband John McAreavey and a hotel security man.

They have also complained that police have not handed over any CCTV footage from the hotel on the day in question.

Mr McAreavey and the Harte family were represented in court by a Mauritian barrister who is keeping them briefed on the situation.

The full trial is expected to be held later this summer and if found guilty of murder the two men face up to 60 years in jail.