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03rd Jun 2022

Video mocking Michaela McAreavey’s murder in Orange Hall condemned

Katy Brennan

“Absolutely abhorrent, disgusting and shameful”.

An investigation has been launched after a video emerged online appearing to show people in an Orange Hall in the North mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey.

The footage, which shows a group of people singing about the schoolteacher’s murder, began to go viral on Thursday night.

McAreavey was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius while on honeymoon on 10 January, 2011, after marrying footballer John McAreavey.

To this day, no one has been convicted of her murder.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “The video currently circulating on social media relating to the murder of Michaela McAreavey is utterly abhorrent and the Orange Institution condemns the content without reservation.

“The behaviour of those involved and their actions have no place in our society and certainly do not reflect the ethos of our organisation.

“The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, which has instigated an inquiry into the incident and if any of those involved are found to be members of the Institution, they will face disciplinary proceedings.”

Many have spoken out in condemnation of the “sick” video.

Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA Justin McNulty wrote on social media” “Fist pumping, table banging, clapping, laughing, jeering – singing a song about the shocking murder of one of the most beautiful people you could ever meet.

“It’s so sick and shameful. Thinking about the Harte family who’ve been so strong and dignified. They do not deserve this.”

Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, tweeted: “A beautiful young woman was murdered on honeymoon and this is how loyalists “celebrate” the Queen’s jubilee.”

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said on Twitter that the video was “absolutely abhorrent, disgusting and shameful”.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party MLA Jonathan Buckley said: “This is wrong on so many levels.

“I remember the utter devastation felt by all following the tragic killing of Michaela McAreavey.

“My thoughts are with the McAreavey and Harte family circles and I condemn this vile video.”