'Hate can hurt, but never win': John McAreavey says on 'vile' video mocking murder of Michaela
Michaela McAreavey was murdered when she was strangled to death in the suite at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius in January of 2011.
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.
John McAreavey who married Michaela in 2011, responded to the hateful video to remind people what his former wife stood for.
"Michaela was a vessel of love, courage and dignity.
"Hate can hurt, but never win," he said.
Michaela was a vessel of love, courage and dignity.
— John McAreavey (@john_mcareavey) June 3, 2022
Hate can hurt, but never win. ♥️
The video, which has been widely circulated online, appears to show a large number of men singing a song that references Ms McAreavey's trip to Mauritius for her honeymoon where she was killed.
Ms McAreavey, 27, was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius on January 10, 2011.
The Co Tyrone teacher, 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 appears to show a large number of men singing a song that references Ms McAreavey's trip to Mauritius for her honeymoon.
Orange Order banners are visible in the background, and Union Jack bunting is hung across the roof of the venue in the video.
In a statement issued through the PA news agency, 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.
“Our apology is unequivocal, and our acceptance of wrongdoing is absolute,” the two men said in a statement.
“This incident is not reflective of who we are as people, nor more importantly of our respective families and friends.
“Several family members and friends have been subjected to online threats and abuse in recent hours due to our unacceptable actions.
“This is unfair and unwarranted; it is us and us alone who are responsible for our actions.
“In addition, this behaviour is unreflective of the values of the Loyal Orders and the wider unionist and loyalist community.
“Whilst it is scant consolation for the hurt our actions will have caused, we will write a formal letter of apology to the Harte and McAreavey families and make a confidential donation to a charity of their choice.
“Whilst brought upon ourselves, this incident has had a significant impact upon us and we ask for privacy at this time. We will making no further comment,” the men said in a statement issued by JWB Consultancy.
Meanwhile, the PSNI have said that they are investigating the video, with a spokesperson saying: "Police are aware of the video posted online and are examining the content to determine if any offences may have been committed."
The Orange Order has also condemned the "abhorrent" video, and has instigated an inquiry into the incident.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Linfield Football Club confirmed that it had contacted a girls’ academy coach in relation to the video.
The club said that his “voluntary association with the club has been terminated with immediate effect”.
The statement called the video “offensive, sickening and deeply hurtful”.
“Linfield FC apologises to the Harte/McAreavey families for the hurt that has been caused to them by the offensive actions of one of our now former coaches.
“Linfield FC is totally opposed to sectarianism, bigotry, racism, prejudice and all forms of discriminatory behaviour and there can be no place within this club for any of these forms of offensive and unacceptable behaviour.”
Construction supplies company Norman Emerson Group also issued a statement to say it was looking into the alleged involvement of an employee and said that a “full and thorough internal investigation” was underway.
“We will not tolerate or condone sectarianism, bigotry, or intimidation in any form from anyone employed by us.”
Politicians from every party in Northern Ireland have denounced the video, as has the Taoiseach.
Micheál Martin said he was "appalled and horrified" by the video.
“We all remember that horrific murder of Michaela McAreavey. It’s beyond comprehension that people could behave in that manner, and to be so indifferent to the trauma that the family suffered and the entire community.
“I think it speaks to a sectarianism and the degree of malice and hate in society that needs to be dealt with, and those involved in it should apologise, in the first instance, and those involved should reflect strongly on that.
“It’s just beyond comprehension, and shocking.”
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has denounced the incident captured in the video as "vile" and "plain wrong."
Mr Donaldson said that the video is "deeply hurtful" to the family of Ms McAreavey.
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill said that she has spoken with John McAreavey "to offer solidarity to both the McAreavey and Harte families."
"Hate and sectarianism have no place in our society. People deserve better. Love over hate will always win out," Ms O'Neill added.
The TUV leader Jim Allister said: "The video glorying in the murder of Michaela McAreavey is beyond disgusting, bringing shame and dishonour on all associated with such loathsome behaviour."
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said that the scene in the video is "absolutely sick."
An Upper Ban MLA for the Alliance Party, Eoin Tennyson slammed the "cruel and callous idiots" seen in the video, adding "If only they had an ounce of her humanity."
"Michaela McAreavey’s warmth, love and compassion was obvious to everyone who knew her," Mr Tennyson added.
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said that she has contacted the PSNI to report the video.
“A beautiful young woman was murdered on honeymoon and this is how loyalists 'celebrate' the Queen’s jubilee," she said.
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