Preliminary court proceedings in the trial of the men accused of the murder of Michaela McAreavey opened in Mauritius today.
Mrs McAreavey was killed while on honeymoon in Mauritius in January, 12 days after marrying footballer John McAreavey.
A defence lawyer for one of the men accused of killing Mrs McAreavey has asked for the magistrate in the case to stand down.
The magistrate is expected to give a decision tomorrow.
Two men appeared at a pre-trial hearing today. It will decide whether they should be tried for her murder.
If that goes ahead, the Director of Public Prosecution will decide if Michaela's husband John needs to attend the court to give evidence.
Mauritian journalist Livay Frivet said there were several possibilities the magistrate could consider in relation to the request from the defence lawyer for the magistrate to stand down.
'She could reject and sets aside the motion of the defence counsel, or if that is granted, there will be another magistrate, or she can also refer the matter to the Supreme Court for a judge to decide on the matter,' he said.
