Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs, Pat Breen, has today (Monday) said that it is essential that Ireland’s Ambassador to Mauritius conveys the disgust felt by the Government and the Irish people following the publication of photos of the Michaela McAreavey murder scene.

Deputy Breen was speaking after the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, met with Ambassador Brendan McMahon in Dublin this afternoon.

“It was with absolute horror that I learned of the publication of the photos related to the murder of Michaela McAreavey in a Mauritian newspaper at the weekend. There can be absolutely no justification for the actions of the newspaper, and I would call on the Mauritian authorities to fully investigate how the photos got into the hands of a journalist, and how it was deemed appropriate to publish them.

“The McAreavey and Harte families have been through such an incomprehensible ordeal over the last 18 months. The families have not only had to deal with the devastating loss of Michaela, over the last seven weeks they have again been thrust into the media spotlight and were forced to listen to contributions during the trial that ranged from the deeply disturbing to the deeply offensive.

“The very least the McAreavey and Harte families deserve is respect. These photos were apparently used as evidence during the trial; so how on earth did they get into the public domain? The Mauritian authorities have serious questions to answer.

“I support the moves by the Government to convey a protest on the matter to the Mauritian Government. The Mauritian authorities’ must deal with the leaking of these photos swiftly and comprehensively, before pressing ahead with an urgent examination of the murder case to ensure justice can be delivered.”

ENDS