Michaela Harte, the daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, has died.

Michaela was on honeymoon in Mauritius having married Down footballer John McAreavey on December 30th.

John McAreavey's uncle, the Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey, and Mickey Harte released a statement confirming the tragic news.

"We ask for prayers for Michaela, John and their families and loved ones," the statement said.

"Both families are deeply shocked and devastated by this tragic news and they ask for privacy and space at this time of profound grief."

The death is being treated as murder by local police after an autopsy indicated that Michaela had been strangled.

She was with her husband and left to get something from her hotel room. When she failed to return her husband went looking for Michaela and discovered her body in the hotel room. A number of suspects have been identified at this point.

27-year old Michaela was an Irish teacher in St Patrick's Girls Academy in Dungannon and a former Rose of Tralee contestant.

Michaela was the only daughter of Mickey and Marian Harte, and had three brothers, Mark, Michael and Matthew.

Well known former UTV journalist Adrian Logan told of the special relationship that existed between Michaela and her father.

"He was totally devoted. He just thought the world of her. He told me: 'She's my little jewel'," said Logan today.

Indeed, on the three occasions that Tyrone claimed the All-Ireland SFC (2003, '05 and '08) Mickey Harte always sought out his daughter in the immediate aftermath of the game.

"He (Mickey Harte) refused to do any post-match interviews after those games until she stood beside him. That's how much she meant to him. She was his number one fan."

Tyrone County Board issued a statement expressing their grief and paid tribute to Michaela.

"The Tyrone GAA County Board is shocked and greatly saddened to learn of the sudden death of Michaela, only daughter of our senior football team manager Mickey Harte, while on honeymoon in Mauritius. Michaela and indeed the wider Harte family of Marian, Mark, Michael and Matthew have been very closely associated with the present senior football team since Mickey took over as Tyrone minor manager in 1991.

"It is difficult for us to comprehend the devastation that her new husband John and the Harte family must be feeling at this time. This tragedy will be sorely felt throughout the Tyrone GAA family and on behalf of our players, officials and members in Tyrone, and around the world we wish to express our deepest sympathy to John, Mickey, Marian, Mark, Michael and Matthew."

Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland also paid tribute to Michaela and expressed his sorrow to her family.

"Michaela was always close to her father's side during many great days for Tyrone football. Her enthusiasm for her native county, for which she was an excellent ambassador, knew no bounds," said McGuinness.

"My thoughts and prayers are with her husband John, father Mickey, mother Marian and the entire Harte and McAreavey families at this difficult time." Tweet

Most Read Stories