Michaela McAreavey: Orange Order probes video mocking bride’s murder

The Orange Order has launched an inquiry into a social media video appearing to show a group of people singing a song mocking the 2011 killing of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius.

The order has described the video as “utterly abhorrent”.

Politicians from the main Northern Ireland parties have condemned the video and those singing.

Police said they were examining the content to determine if any offences had been committed.

It has not yet been confirmed when and where the footage was taken, but it was filmed in a room decorated with union flags and Orange Order paintings.

Michaela McAreavey, a 27-year-old Irish language teacher from County Tyrone, was killed while on honeymoon in 2011.

Her widower, John McAreavey, continues to lead a campaign to bring her killers to justice, but so far no-one has been convicted over her death.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said the institution condemned the content of the video “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.

“If any of those involved are found to be members of the Institution, they will face disciplinary proceedings.”

Separately the Belfast-based football club, Linfield, said one of its coaches who works with its players in a voluntary capacity “can be clearly identified” in the video.

Linfield FC condemned the footage as “deeply offensive” and said the man’s “voluntary association with the club has been terminated with immediate effect”.

Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said she has spoken to Mr 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,” she added.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the video was “vile”.

“It is plain wrong and is deeply hurtful to the family of Michaela McAreavey,” he tweeted.

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie described the footage as “absolutely abhorrent, disgusting and shameful”.

Alliance assembly member Kate Nicholl said: “How her poor family must feel. I have reported to the police.”

MP Claire Hanna, from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) tweeted she was: “Appalled. Speechless, almost, at the depths some plumb. Thinking of the McAreavey family circle who should never have been exposed to this hatred and depravity.”

Traditional Unionist Voice (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.”

Mrs McAreavey was found strangled in a bathtub at her honeymoon hotel 12 days after her wedding.

She was the daughter of former Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) football manager Mickey Harte, who managed the County Tyrone team for 18 years.

She was married in her home village of Ballygawley, County Tyrone, on 30 December 2010.

The couple were staying in room 1025 of the Legends Hotel in Mauritius.

On 10 January 2011, Mrs McAreavey went to their room to collect biscuits and was not seen alive again.

Local police later said she had been strangled to death after disturbing intruders who broke into the room to steal money.

The loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson was among those who condemned the video, also describing the footage as “vile”.

Writing on Twitter he said: “The disgraceful video- mocking the death of a young woman- doing the rounds does not represent unionism or loyalism.”