A FOURTH MAN has been arrested in connection with the inquiry into the death of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius last week.

The man was a security guard who had been working at the Legends hotel and is believed to have been operating as part of a group that colluded to steal valuables from guests at the hotel, Superintendent Yusef Soopun told TheJournal.ie.

Police have reason to believe that he was operating unbeknowst to hotel management as part of a gang, which included some members of room service staff.

A provisional charge of conspiracy has been brought against him, and the inquiry is proceeding.

Under Mauritian law a person can be remanded in custody for three weeks; on the fourth week they must be released or sentenced.

Soopun said: “One of the party arrested last week has applied for bail. However, the prosecution will protest this.”

He added that a person charged with murder cannot be released on bail.

The three cleaning staff who worked at the hotel have already been charged in connection with Michaela’s death: both room attendant Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, and floor supervisor Sandip Mooneea, 41, have been charged with murder, and another room attendant Raj Theekoy, 33, was charged with conspiracy to murder.

All three are due to appear on court this morning.