Michaela McAreavey: Theft charge connected to investigation struck out

Michaela McAreavey with her father, former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte

The case against a man facing a theft charge related to the Michaela McAreavey murder investigation has been struck out, his lawyer said.

Sandip Moneea, 52, was previously acquitted of Mrs McAreavey's murder.

But he was charged earlier this year with conspiracy to commit larceny in relation to the honeymooner's hotel room in Mauritius.

The 27 year old was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel on the Indian Ocean island on 10 January, 2011.

The teacher, who married to John McAreavey 10 days earlier, was attacked after she returned to her room alone and disturbed a burglary.

No-one has been convicted of murdering the daughter of Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte.

Former hotel worker Mr Moneea, of School Lane, Petit Raffray, had been accused of conspiring with another employee to steal a magnetic key card to the hotel room to commit larceny.

He had denied any wrongdoing.

Michaela McAreavey on her wedding day in 2011

The provisional charge was struck out at a court hearing on the island on Tuesday, according to his barrister Neelkanth Dulloo.

The other man charged with conspiracy to commit larceny is former hotel security guard Dassen Narayanen.

His barrister Vikash Teeluckdharry said a decision on his case was adjourned until 25 July.

He said prosecutors only received an evidence file from police on Friday and had requested more time to review it.

Mr Narayanen, 37, from Royal Road, Plaine des Papayes, has denied wrongdoing.

In 2012, Mr Moneea and another man were found not guilty of Mrs McAreavey's murder after a high-profile trial in Mauritius.

Mr Moneea and his co-accused in the murder trial, Avinash Treebhoowoon, worked as cleaners at the hotel at the time of the killing.

They denied any role in the murder.