The investigation into the murder of Michaela McAreavey is “becoming a cold case”, the lawyer for her family has admitted.
Speaking on the 11th anniversary of Michaela’s death in Mauritius on Monday, Dick Ng Sui Wa explained that there has been no breakthrough in the probe.
In June, the Mauritian government agreed to re-examine the evidence and a new police team was appointed to recheck leads.
But that has yet to throw any new light on the case.
Lawyer Ng Sui Wa told the Irish Mirror: “There has been a new team working on it but there has been no major developments.
“There has been no breakthrough anyway.
“We will see what develops but it’s in the hands of the police.
“They must do their work under the circumstances.
“It’s becoming a cold case, that’s the sad thing about it.”
He added: “It is of course very frustrating, very sad I would say for the family for us trying to get the breakthrough. It’s not an easy task.”
With the new investigation, Ng Sui Wa had hoped DNA evidence could play a role in any potential new trial.
But he said: “As far as I know there has been no development in that regard. It is very sad.”
Tyrone native Michaela, who was a teacher, was just aged 27 when she was found after she was strangled in her hotel room on the Indian Ocean island on January 10, 2011.
The only daughter of three-time All-Ireland-winning Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte had wed John McAreavey just 10 days earlier.
The pair were on their honeymoon when Michaela was attacked as she returned to her room alone and disturbed a burglary.
Two former workers at the luxury resort - Sandip Moneea and Avinash Treebhoowoon - were acquitted after a high-profile trial on the holiday island in the summer of 2012.
A key witness in the case against the two men was Raj Theekoy, who was found dead on wasteland in Beau-Plateau, Goodlands, north Mauritius on October 3 last year.
Asked if his death damaged the new probe and any potential fresh trial, Ng Sui Wa said: “I would not say so. You can prove a case by other means than a witness. There is other evidence that can be relied upon, I don’t think that is a handicap in this case.”
The lawyer says he has not been in touch with the McAreavey or Harte families for some months now.
On Monday, John McAreavey posted on social media: “11 Years now…. Still waiting on Justice.”
