On Thursday afternoon a Not Guilty verdict was handed down to the Mauritian Hotel Workers accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey in January 2011
Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea had both denied killing the 27 year old newlywed at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius
The jury delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict after two hours of deliberations – the trial had been ongoing for 8 weeks in the capital Port Louis
The Harte and McAreavey families spoke about their ‘devastating’ ordeal since her murder and their feeling after today’s verdict
A statement said, “After waiting eighteen months in search of justice for Michaela and following the endurance of seven harrowing weeks of this trial, there are no words which can describe the sense of devastation and desolation now felt by both families.”
The families said they will not comment any further until back in Ireland.
John McAreavey, his father and sister and Michaela’s brother Mark Harte are due back in Dublin on Saturday morning
On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Tyrone based Reporter with The Ulster Herald Ryan McAleer to get local reaction to the verdict.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD will be in Clare this evening to officially open Caherconnell Archaeological Field School
This is a first for the region and the latest chapter in the story of the family run business
John spoke with Minister Deenihan about the significance of this and also abou the possible reclassification of raised bogs and the chance of the protection orders be reviewed and overturned for some bogs (In particular Tullagher Lough in Doonbeg – Turfcutters there hope they will be reclassified and haven’t cut turf while ongoing negotiations continue)
The Caherconnell Archaeological Field School consists of an auditorium for providing a lecture/work space for students, wet rooms for cleaning tools during post excavation
On site accommodation facilities are also being provided for field school staff who must often travel long distances daily to be at Caherconnell during the two week field schoolperiods
Caherconnell Archaeological Field School has been accepting students since 2010 and has been a burgeoning educational facility ever since with students enrolling from around the globe
The development of these new facilities at Caherconnell coincides with the accreditation of the school by the National University of Ireland in Galway
Colm Davoren and Dr. Michelle Comber of NUI Galway – the Director of Archaeology at Caherconnell – had a word about the culmination of all their hard work.
The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme has launched this new sexual health promotion campaign to encourage consistent use of contraception among sexually active young adults
The new phase of the Think Contraception campaign will use TV sponsorships, and on-the-street promotion, to promote its key message, that when it comes to risk of STIs or unplanned pregnancy – Johnny’s got you covered
Dr Stephanie O’Keefe, Director of the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme, explained.
Clare Macra ne Feirme representative Theresa O’Leary encouraged people to reach out to those around them- particularly those living alone- ahead of the organisation’s Know Your Neighbour weekend.
The week’s Morning Focus giveaway is courtesy of GIFTWORKS- the new Home and Giftware store has opened up on O’Connell Street in Ennis
This morning we gave away a grand prize of a French Cream Dressing Table
Log on to our webpage on www.clare.fm to see the prizes
In the second installment of Morning Focus’ Walking Features, Clare FM’s Maire Moynihan met Clare Trails Animator Cyril Killeen to give a description and information on walking the beautiful Ballycuggeran loop in East Clare
He also spoke about his role and how interested communities can get in touch with him for support with development of new trails
He also had details of planned trails in West Clare for 2012
The third annual Clarecastle Regatta will take place tomorrow
The family fun day on the quay and on the water begins at 10.30am with the annual Clarecastle 10km Run/Walk
Donal Carey encouraged people to come along.
Scuba divers from the Midwest region will be doing a 24-hour dive in Kilkee this weekend to raise funds for Search & Recovery activities
The Scubathon dive relay is being organised by Kilkee Sub Aqua Club and Limerick-based Aughinish Diving Club, and will involve a series of divers doing one-hour dives at different locations in Kilkee Bay from midday on the Saturday through to midday on the Sunday
Eibhir Mulqueen of Kilkee Scubaqua Club explained.
The Kilkee Maritime Festival takes place this weekend
There will be a currach Regatta, a monster raft race, kayaking, a sand castle competition; face painting and other family activities
Johnny Redmond explained what’s planned and encouraged people to come along on Sunday particularly for the Plundering Pirate 10k fun run -11am at the Bandstand in Kilkee – in aid of Children’s Hospital, Crumlin
Johnny is doing the New York Marathon in November for the charity.
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