The husband of Michaela McAreavey is to receive a five-figure sum in damages over the Irish Daily Mail’s publication of CCTV stills of another couple arguing in their honeymoon hotel.

A lawyer for the newspaper also issued an unreserved apology to John McAreavey for using the "potentially misleading images".

Mr McAreavey sued over an article that appeared during the trial of two men later acquitted of murdering his wife.

Michaela McAreavey, 27, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football team manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled in the newlyweds' honeymoon suite at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius in January 2011.

Her husband was at the High Court in Belfast today to hear confirmation of the resolution to his defamation action.

Lawyer Michael Kealey, for the defendants Associated Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, said in a statement: "An article published in the 15 June 2012 edition of the Irish Daily Mail included stills taken from CCTV footage showing what the newspaper described as an 'arguing couple', and which were presented in such a way as to potentially infer that they may have been John McAreavey and his late wife, Michaela.

"In fact, the footage was of a German couple, as has been unequivocally accepted by the authorities in Mauritius."

Mr Kealey continued: "The defendant acknowledges that these potentially misleading images were published at an extremely difficult and traumatic time for John McAreavey and caused him significant distress.

"The defendant unreservedly apologises to John McAreavey and very much regrets the distress caused by the publication of this material.

"The Irish Daily Mail is committed to supporting John McAreavey in his fight to ensure that those who were responsible for the brutal murder of his beloved Michaela are held to account for their actions."

Sources close to the case also disclosed that a "substantial five-figure sum" is to be paid out in damages.

Outside the court Mr McAreavey's lawyer, Paul Tweed of Johnsons law firm, said: "The Irish Daily Mail's publication of a photograph of John McAreavey, interspersed within a series of CCTV stills of a German couple arguing, could not have been published at a more difficult and sensitive time which criminal proceedings had been ongoing in Mauritius.

"Although John is satisfied with this categoric and comprehensive apology before the court this morning, together with the payment of appropriate damages and his legal costs, the article should not have been published in the first place."

"However, John remains very grateful for the support he has received from the media, and he hopes that this will continue with a view to ensuring that absolutely no stone is left unturned in bringing those responsible for Michaela's murder to justice."