Michaela McAreavey video: Men who apologised express concern over ‘public witch hunt’
Last updated 6th Jun 2022
Three men who have apologised after an incident involving a chant mocking a murdered honeymooner have expressed concern about being subject to a "public witch hunt".
A statement from JWB Consultancy on behalf of John Bell, Andrew McDade and Richie Beattie said a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation under the Communications Act had commenced but it said it was "unclear how the elements of such an offence would be made out".
The development comes amid the ongoing fallout from the video that emerged on social media last week.
In the clip, which was apparently filmed in an Orange Hall in greater Belfast last month, several men appear to be singing a song about the death of Michaela McAreavey.
The 27-year-old teacher was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius on January 10 2011.
Mrs McAreavey, who had married husband John 10 days earlier, was attacked after she returned to her room alone and disturbed a burglary.
No-one has been convicted of murdering the daughter of Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte.
The video has been widely condemned across the political landscape and the Orange Order has launched an investigation.
In the latest statement, the men said they would not be confirming or denying who had been interviewed by police, insisting that anyone subject to criminal investigation was entitled to privacy.
The PSNI has confirmed that one man has voluntarily attended a station for interview about the incident.
In the statement the men, who have resigned from the Orange Order, reiterated their "complete shame and regret for their involvement in the incident".
It insisted there was no intent to broadcast the chant on social media and it was "incidentally streamed" on Facebook Live.
"In any event, regardless of whether broadcast or not, the relevant behaviour is not acceptable in any section of our society either in public or private," said the statement.
The statement said anyone facing investigation was entitled to due process and also anyone facing potential employment sanction was entitled to statutory protections in employment law.
"This is becoming a public witch hunt, inclusive of repeated death threats and there is a growing social media mob who appear to have lost all grip on reality," the statement added.
"It is time now to draw a line under this vile incident and allow any investigations to take their course."
Responding to the incident, John McAreavey tweeted last week: "Michaela was a vessel of love, courage and dignity.
"Hate can hurt, but never win."
Meanwhile, SJC Hutchinson Engineering in Kilrea have terminated the contract of a recently hired employee who was pictured in the video featuring a song about the murdered Michaela McAreavey.
The statement said: “We have unfortunately been notified of highly offensive online social media content involving a staff member who has recently joined the company.
“As a family and a business, we strive to promote an ethos of dignity, respect, and integrity in everything that we do.
“Whilst we cannot control what our staff do outside of work, we do expect our staff to act in accordance with our company values both inside and outside of the workplace.
“The content posted online is abhorrent, divisive and we unequivocally condemn such behaviour.
“It has no place in society and we will not tolerate such conduct by any member of staff.
"We have advised the staff member that his employment has been terminated with immediate effect.
“Our thoughts are with the Harte and McAreavey families at this difficult time and we commend them for the dignified manner in which they faced this matter.
“Hate can hurt, but never win.”
By David Young, PA & Chelsie Kealey.
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