Book of Condolence opened for Michaela

A BOOK of condolence in memory of Michaela McAreavey, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football boss, Mickey Harte, who was murdered whilst on honeymoon in Mauritius, has been opened by Mayor Colum Eastwood at the Londonderry Guildhall.

The Book of Condolence will be open from today and will remain open all of next week at the Guildhall to allow people to express their sympathies to the McAreavey and Harte families.

Extending his sympathies, the Mayor said Michaela's untimely death was a devastating loss to everyone who knew her and the thoughts and prayers of the people of Londonderry were with them at this difficult time.

This week the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe the Rt Rev. Ken Good Ken Good extended his deepest sympathy to the family of Michaela McAreavey who are currently trying to come to terms with her murder on Monday.

The Bishop said he shared the sense of shock felt right across the North West at Ms McAreavey's murder.

The 27-year-old - a daughter of the Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte and a former Rose of Tralee contestant - was found strangled in her northern Mauritius hotel room where she had been on honeymoon with husband and Down footballer John McAreavey.

The Rt Rev Ken Good described her murder as "cruel and tragic blow" for her family and said he shared the shock felt by the wider community.

Bishop Good said: "I share the sense of shock felt by everyone across our community upon hearing the news of Michaela McAreavey's death.

"My prayers and deepest sympathy go to John McAreavey and to the Harte family. This is a cruel and tragic blow for the family and a moment of great sadness for the GAA community."

Bishop Good continued: "It is very apparent that Michaela brought great joy and brightness to her new husband, her family and to all she came in contact with. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been so grievously wounded by her untimely death."

Related topics: