McAreavey jury expected to retire today

A jury is expected to retire today to consider its verdicts in the trial of two hotel workers accused of murdering honeymooner Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius.

The daughter of Tyrone gaelic football manager Mickey Harte was found strangled in her room at the luxury Legends hotel on the island last January.

Former staff members Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea deny her murder.

The prosecution claims they attacked the 27-year-old teacher when she interrupted them stealing in the room, having momentarily left her husband John at a poolside restaurant to fetch biscuits.

The high profile case in the island's Supreme Court in the capital city Port Louis was originally listed to run nine days but is now in its eighth week.

After defence lawyers presented their closing statements on Monday, judge Mr Justice Prithviraj Fecknah adjourned court for two days to give him time to prepare his directions to the jury.

He said he would deliver his address to the nine jurors today before asking them to commence their deliberations.

The tragic newlywed's widower has been in Mauritius throughout the course of the trial, accompanied by his father Brendan, sister Claire and brother-in-law Mark Harte.

Treebhoowoon (aged 32) from Plaine de Roches, worked as a room attendant at Legends while Moneea (aged 43) from Petit Raffray, was his floor supervisor.

They were arrested at the hotel the day after the murder.