‘Gross affront of human dignity’ as murder scene photos appear in Mauritian newspaper
File photo dated 02/06/12 of a view of the Lux Hotel in Mauritius formerly named Legends, where Irish citizen Michaela McAreavey, was murdered on her honeymoon a year ago, as two former hotel workers have been acquitted of murdering honeymooner Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius. Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea were found not guilty by a jury at the island's Supreme Court in Port Louis. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date : Thursday July 12, 2012. See PA story IRISH McAreavey. Photo credit should read: Paul Faith/PA Wire
PICTURES of murdered honeymooner Michaela McAreavey’s body published in a Mauritian newspaper marks a new low, her horrified family has said.
The Sunday Times, a paper with no connection to any British or Irish publication, used images of the hotel room crime scene where Mrs McAreavey was killed.
A statement from members of the couple’s family said: “As the families struggle to come to terms with the result from the trial - this action by the newspaper is not only insensitive to their grief but marks another low in the treatment of John, the two families and the dignity of Michaela.
“The Mauritian authorities need now to match their words with actions and ensure that insensitive reporting by newspapers within their jurisdiction does not further exacerbate the violation of Michaela and the hurt to John.”
Around 12 black and white images of the crime scene were published in the newspaper. On the front page there is a photograph of Mrs McAreavey taken after her death - under the headline “Exclusive”. Inside there are more images of the crime scene, including the hotel room and the bathroom. There are also close-up pictures of Mrs McAreavey’s injuries.
Irish Taioseach Enda Kenny and Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness joined in the bereaved family’s condemnation of the crime scene photo publication.
Mr Kenny said: “The publication of these images represents an appalling invasion of privacy and is a gross affront to human dignity. There are issues of fundamental human rights in question in relation to this deeply upsetting matter.
“This reprehensible act can only add to the pain and suffering of the McAreavey and Harte families and our thoughts and sympathies are again with them at this time. On behalf of the people of Ireland, the Government will be lodging a formal complaint in the strongest possible terms, with the government of Mauritius.”
Mr McGuinness said the photographs had come from within the Mauritian system. “The decision of the newspaper in Mauritius to publish crime scene photographs, including pictures of Michaela’s body is an outrageous abuse that cannot be justified in any way,” he said.
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