Two men apologise over song mocking murder victim Michaela McAreavey
Two men have apologised after a video emerged on social media appearing to show a group of people mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius.
The incident has received widespread condemnation, with police investigating, the Orange Order probing the matter, and Linfield FC having ended relations with a volunteer coach implicated in the video.
Dozens of people inside a room with Orange Order paintings and Union flags can be seen singing, laughing and banging tables while joining in the song about the deceased daughter of former Tyrone Gaelic Football boss Mickey Harte.
Read more about the reaction to the "vile" incident here.
In a statement via loyalist activist Jamie Bryson’s consultancy firm, John Bell and Andrew McDade said it was a "matter of deep shame and regret" to have been involved in broadcasting and singing about her murder.
They said that it was an "offensive, vile and wholly abhorrent chant".
"This Facebook live video was not streamed with the intent of broadcasting any offensive chants whatsoever, rather it was generally broadcasting from the room.
"However, whether broadcast or not, the relevant chants should never have been sung either in public or private.
"We offer our sincerest and deepest apology to the Harte and McAreavey families, and indeed to wider society for our actions which whilst fuelled by alcohol, can neither be mitigated or excused in any shape or form.
"Our apology is unequivocal, and our acceptance of wrongdoing is absolute," the two men said in a statement.