Shock and grief in Monaghan at honeymoon killing of Tyrone woman

The shock and grief widespread in Co Monaghan at the news of the murder of Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey while on honeymoon in Mauritius found expression at Tuesday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council when members united with Co Mayor Jackie Crowe in expressing sympathy with her family on the tragedy.
Councillors emphasised the close bonds between the people of Monaghan and Tyrone and the local esteem and affection commanded by Michaela’s father Mickey Harte, the manager of the Tyrone county football team.
Formally proposing a vote of sympathy to the families bereaved, Mayor Crowe said that Mickey Harte was no stranger to Monaghan, and the Tyrone team in all their glory days had never bypassed the county and had often taken their meals in the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblayney or in Monaghan Town. Mickey Harte was a good friend of the people of Co Monaghan.
Their thoughts went out to Mickey and his wife and family on the death of their daughter Michaela. It was terrible to think that someone who had been a wedding bride a short time ago should end up murdered on their honeymoon.
Pádraig McNally said the death of Michaela Harte was a terrible shock to the whole community. It was hard to credit that only eleven days ago she was celebrating her wedding and was a picture of happiness. He agreed that Tyrone was a good neighbour to Monaghan, and Mickey Harte was a good friend to Monaghan and a regular attendee at functions throughout the county.
Colr McNally added that it was a reality of the times they lived in that they had regular murders, both here and in other countries.
Matt Carthy said that anyone who knew Mickey Harte knew that he was an absolute gentleman, and his entire family would be well regarded, particularly by Gaels and the GAA fraternity the length and breadth of the county. Mickey Harte developed very close personal relationships with the people he worked with.
Colr Carthy recalled that as Co Mayor he had the honour of greeting him into the county the last time Tyrone won the All-Ireland and it was clear that day there was a very strong relationship between the people of Tyrone and Monaghan. He referred to the huge affection the Harte family was held in throughout Co Monaghan as well as in the Tyrone community.
Noting that Michaela had been an Irish teacher and a former Rose of Tralee contestant, Colr Carthy said it was deeply tragic that her death should happen in such circumstances in what should have been the happiest period of her life. One could only imagine what her husband John McAreavey was going through, and he hoped the local police authorities would be able to bring those responsible to justice.
Colr Carthy also proposed that the Council write to the Bishop of Dromore expressing their sympathy to him.
Paudge Connolly also expressed sympathy to the Harte and McAreavey families in their traumatic time, which had arisen out of what was a joyous occasion only a few short days ago. He pointed out that there had been 204 deaths of Irish people abroad last year and 400 incidents of extremely serious injury, which were frightening statistics.
Associating with the members’ remarks, Acting Co Manager David Fallon said what had happened was every parent’s nightmare. He extended the sympathy of the Council staff to the Harte and McAreavey families and to the Bishop of Dromore.