Northern Ireland

John McAreavey: "Hate can hurt, but never win"

John and Michaela McAreavey. Picture by McAreavey family handout/PA Wire
John and Michaela McAreavey. Picture by McAreavey family handout/PA Wire John and Michaela McAreavey. Picture by McAreavey family handout/PA Wire

John McAreavey has responded to a vile video mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey by describing her a "vessel of love, courage and dignity".

In a tweet last night, he said "hate can hurt, but never win."

It came after two men involved in the video apologised and said it was a "matter of deep shame and regret".

In a statement, John Bell and Andrew McDade, said they wanted to "offer our sincerest and deepest apology to the Harte and McAreavey families" following their actions, which have been widely condemned.

The apology came after footage emerged online showing a group of people singing a song mocking the 2011 killing of Mrs McAreavey (27), daughter of GAA manager Mickey Harte, during her honeymoon with husband John in Mauritius.

It remained unclear last night when and where the footage was taken, but it was filmed in a room decorated with union flags and Orange Order paintings.

In a statement issued through JWB Consultancy, a firm run by loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson, the two men said they wished to "sincerely apologise" for the vile chant relating to Mrs McAreavey.

"It is a matter of deep shame and regret that we became involved in the Facebook live publication of a video which included the singing of an offensive, vile and wholly abhorrent chant about the deceased Michaela McAreavey," they said.

"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.

"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."

Linfield Football Club yesterday moved to dismiss Mr Bell as a girls’ Academy coach for club, after his involvement in the video.

The Belfast football club issued a statement and confirmed his "voluntary association with the club has been terminated with immediate effect".

"Linfield FC has today been made aware of a deeply offensive video in circulation on social media in which the involvement of a coach at our girls’ Academy can be clearly identified," the club said.

The club also condemned the "offensive, sickening and deeply hurtful and insulting chanting" in the video and said they wished to "disassociate itself totally from the unacceptable behaviour".

It added that they "will not tolerate behaviour among any of our personnel that falls short of the standards that the club expects".

"As has been illustrated on this occasion, the club will act swiftly and decisively against any individual whose conduct falls short of the standards that are required,” the statement added.

"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."

Mr Bell is understood to have previously worked for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and has been pictured on social media in a fire service uniform.

A spokesman for the the NIFRS last night said he no longer worked for the service and it would not be commenting on the matter.

But an investigation has been launched by Craigavon based construction supplies company Norman Emerson Group Ltd following allegations the video was "allegedly made by one of our employees", understood to be Mr McDade.

In a statement, the company said they had been "made aware of highly offensive social media content" of the video and the apparent involvement of one of their workers.

"As a family and as a business, we endeavour to ensure an ethos of respect, inclusivity and consideration in everything we do," they said.

"While we cannot control what anyone associated with us chooses to post online, such divisive and derogatory posts are in no way representative of who we are, and we unreservedly denounce such behaviour.

"We will not tolerate or condone sectarianism, bigotry, or intimidation in any form from anyone employed by us.

"Please be assured that a full and thorough internal investigation is underway."