Monday 17 January 2011

Murdered Bride's Funeral Set To Take Place




Hundreds of mourners are expected at the funeral of murdered newlywed Michaela McAreavey today as she is buried at the same church where she was married.

McAreavey Family handout photo of John and Michaela McAreavey on their honeymoon
Family handout photo of Michaela and John McAreavey on their honeymoon
Ahead of the service, her heartbroken husband, John, has released a picture taken on their honeymoon in Mauritius, before Mrs McAreavey was strangled after interrupting thieves in their hotel room.
The photograph - taken by a passer-by - shows the pair together on a balcony with lights flickering on the water behind them.
Irish president Mary McAleese and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams will attend the funeral service a few miles outside the Co Tyrone village of Ballygawley this afternoon.
Mrs McAreavey - a devout Catholic - was the daughter ofMickey Harte, the celebrated manager of Tyrone's gaelic football team.
McAreavey Family handout photo of John and Michaela McAreavey outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
Michaela and John McAreavey outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
Her coffin will be taken from her parents' home, where hundreds have visited during a two-day wake.
Players from Mr Harte's Tyrone team and his home club Errigal Ciaran will form a guard of honour.
A marquee for 300 people has been erected in the church grounds to cope with some of the overspill from the 400-capacity chapel.
Thousands of mourners are expected to pay their respects to the 27-year-old teacher.
The service will be led by Mr McAreavey's uncle, Bishop John McAreavey, who married the couple on December 30.
family handout photo of John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway, in North Antrim.
John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway, in North Antrim
Mrs McAreavey's rosary beads, a pin representing her abstinence from alcohol, a Fainne emblem symbolising her love of the Irish language and a Tyrone jersey are all expected to be placed at the altar.
After mass, her coffin will be carried over a small stream to the adjoining cemetery for burial.
Mrs McAreavey's body was brought to the house on Friday night, ending the long journey from the Indian Ocean island.
Anglican Archbishop of Mauritius Ian Ernest said he felt his community wanted to seek forgiveness from the Irish people.
"There are lessons to learn for all of us but our country is a peaceful country, our country is a beautiful country and we have lots to offer to the world," he added.
Legends Hotel
Legends Hotel where body of Michaela McAreavey was found
Mr McAreavey has also released another picture of the couple outside of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to show how much she meant to him.
Three employees at the Legends Hotel where she was killed have been charged in connection with the death, two with murder and one with conspiracy to murder.
Police have said one of the accused, room attendant Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, has confessed to the killing.
His co-accused, floor supervisor Sandip Moneea, 41, has denied any involvement.
It is understood Treebhoowoon admitted the crime to officers after the third accused, fellow room attendant Raj Theekoy, 33, made a statement implicating him and Moneea.
Theekoy is charged with conspiracy because he allegedly passed along the corridor outside the room while the struggle was taking place but, despite hearing screams, failed to report it.
Skin tissue found under Mrs McAreavey's fingernails could prove crucial to the police case against the two accused. The results of DNA tests are due in the next few days.

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