Michaela McAreavey will be buried today but, as mourners arrive in County Tyrone to farewell her, a senior police officer in Mauritius has said her alleged killers may not face a murder trial.
Inspector Ranjit Jokhoo told Belfast paper the Irish News that “we would like the charge to be murder, but it is likely to be reduced and that decision is out of our hands”.
He said the Mauritius department of public prosecutions may accept a plea of unlawful killing from those accused of her death.
McAreavey, a 27-year-old teacher, was found dead in her hotel room on the island last Monday after apparently disturbing a number of men who were involved in an alleged robbery.
She was the daughter of the well-known Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte.
McAreavey’s funeral will take place in St Malachy’s church, in the village of Ballymacilroy, Northern Ireland, after a two-day wake at the Harte family home.
Senior figures from the world of sports and politics will attend the service, including the Irish president, Mary McAleese. Other mourners will include the leader of Ireland’s Catholics, Dr Seán Brady.
A marquee has been erected outside the church, where McAreavey was married on 30 December, to hold up to 300 mourners and cope with some of the overspill from the 400-capacity chapel.
Mrs McAreavey’s rosary beads, a pin representing her abstinence from alcohol, a Fainne emblem symbolising her love of the Irish language and a Tyrone jersey are all expected to be placed at the altar.
Anglican Archbishop of Mauritius Ian Ernest told Sky News he felt his community wanted to seek forgiveness from the Irish people.
“There are lessons to learn for all of us but our country is a peaceful country, our country is a beautiful country and we have lots to offer to the world,” he added.
