A top lawyer in Mauritius claims police are not looking for Michaela McAreavey’s killer and a cash reward is needed to reignite the investigation.
Former attorney general Rama Valayden said cops on the holiday island popular with honeymooners are just trying to please those in power, the Irish Mirror reports.
Mr Valayden is calling for a commission of inquiry and a “hefty” reward to encourage those with genuine information about the murder to come forward.
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Mr Valayden represents Sandip Moneea who was twice charged in connection with the death of school teacher Michaela at Legends Hotel on January 10 2011.
In June a charge against Sandeep Moneea of conspiracy to commit larceny was dropped.
He was previously acquitted of Michaela’s murder in 2012.
According to his lawyer 52-year-old Mr Moneea’s arrest in April 2022 was based on a statement given by a former security guard at the hotel.
Newlywed Michaela, from Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, was strangled in her hotel room while holidaying on the Indian Ocean island with her husband John.
The 27-year-old daughter of former Tyrone football team Mickey Harte was attacked after she returned to the couple’s room alone and disturbed a burglary.
To date nobody has been convicted of her murder and in August 2020 the Central Criminal Investigation Department in Mauritius reopened the investigation.
Rama Valayden said authorities are just pinning it on his client and not out looking for the real killer.
He told Irish Sunday Mirror: “My client is again a free person as the Honourable DPP has struck out the charge against him.
“I strongly believe that the police are deliberately not looking for the true criminals and are only bowing to popular pressure by rearresting Mr Moneea to please the government of the day.”
Mr Valayden said he is hopeful that those behind Michaela’s murder will eventually be caught and he believes a reward for information would help.
He added: “I also firmly believe that a Commission of Inquiry coupled with a hefty reward will help to solve the conundrum.”
And he alleged that one of the country’s top officers was moved from the investigation because he was of the belief that Mr Moneea and former security guard and co-accused Avinash Treebohun were innocent.
Former hotel worker Moneea had been accused of conspiring with another employee to steal a magnetic key card to the room to commit larceny. The provisional charge was struck out in court last month.
The other man charged with conspiracy to commit larceny is former hotel security guard Dassen Narayanen, 37, whose case was adjourned until July 25. Both previously denied any wrongdoing.
It emerged last month that Mr Moneea was considering bringing his own case against the state.
His barrister Neelkanth Dulloo said at the time: “What I believe now, Moneea is having recourse against the state for unlawful and arbitrary arrest.
“Mr Moneea had always had a multi- purpose card.
“Why would he need to steal the card when he had a master card in the hotel?
“When Mr Moneea was arrested he told the police, ‘Whatever I have to say I have said. I have already been subject to trial. I have been acquitted unanimously.’” Mr Dulloo insists when a fresh case is brought in such circumstances, the court needs “fresh and compelling” evidence, which he claims it did not have in the case of Mr Moneea.
He added: “As far as I am concerned, I don’t see if there was a need to come back 10 years later without fresh and compelling evidence. I think this matter is closed. I don’t know what the intention of the police, or the DPP. For me this matter is closed. We are at dead end.
“Mr Moneea has always been questioning the issue as to why him when there is no evidence. Police went into a mess of an investigation.”
In April, a lawyer for Michaela’s family said they believed police were closer than ever to a breakthrough in solving the case.
Lawyer Dick Ng Sui Wa said at the time: “I think they are getting there. It seems to me they are on the right track.
“The police are putting a lot of effort [in] finally after so many times Mr McAreavey had asked for information. We are happy that it seems to be moving somewhere and in the right direction.”
Last month a video mocking Michaela’s murder sparked outrage and led to an investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Michaela’s husband John McAreavey paid tribute to her in the wake of the horrific post.
He said on Twitter: “Michaela was a vessel of love, courage and dignity. Hate can hurt, but can never win.”
Politicians across the island joined in condemning those involved with Taoiseach Micheal Martin saying he was “appalled” and “horrified” after watching it.
Irish Sunday Mirror has contacted the Mauritian Police for comment.
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