Ex-hotel workers arrested in Michaela McAreavey probe released on bail

By Cate McCurry and David Young, PA

Two former hotel workers accused of theft by police investigating the murder of honeymooner Michaela McAreavey have been released on bail in Mauritius.

Sandip Moneea, 52, who was acquitted of Mrs McAreavey’s murder, and ex-security guard Dassen Narayanen were freed during a hearing today following a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions, their lawyers said.

Both men appeared in court on the Indian Ocean island today after they were charged with conspiracy to commit larceny in relation to the McAreaveys’ hotel room.

Two former hotel workers accused of theft by police investigating the murder of honeymooner Michaela McAreavey have been released on bail in Mauritius.https://t.co/SdABqKOMyM

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 21, 2022

Moneea, of School Lane, Petit Raffray, and Narayanen are accused of conspiring with each other to steal a magnetic key card to the couple’s room to commit theft.

The men are due to appear in court again on June 28.

Lawyers for both men have indicated their intent to seek to get the charges struck out.

Barrister Vikash Teeluckdharry said Narayanen was released after a surety of 4,000 Mauritian rupees (£69/83 euro) was paid, along with a court fee of 1,150 rupees (£20/24 euro).

Moneea’s barrister, Neelkanth Dulloo, said his client will be subject to a fine of 20,000 rupees (£346/417 euro) if he does not return to court for the June hearing.

Mrs McAreavey, 27, was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius on January 10, 2011.

The teacher, who had married husband John 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.

Moneea’s barrister Neelkanth Dulloo confirmed his client and Narayanen were released on bail.

Narayanen, 37, from Royal Road, Plaine des Papayes, was arrested in connection with the offence last month and had been remanded in custody until his release today.

Moneea and another man were found not guilty of Mrs McAreavey’s murder after a high-profile trial on the holiday island in 2012.

He has always denied wrongdoing

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

Narayanen, who has also denied wrongdoing, has been admitted to hospital several times for mental health issues during his detention and his lawyer has criticised the way he has been treated by police.

Barrister Vikash Teeluckdharry wrote to the prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, on Tuesday, outlining 10 specific concerns about his client’s detention.

The letter said: “I fervently call for your intervention in order to better protect the integrity of the criminal procedure in Mauritius, particularly the police procedures in the absence of the modern safeguards, which are available in more advanced countries such as Britain.”

Mr Teeluckdharry outlined further concerns about the handling of the overall investigation. He said he would be sending a copy of the letter to Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister, Naomi Long.

Police in Mauritius have previously denied mistreating Narayanen in custody.