Northern Ireland

Man arrested over Michaela McAreavey video

Michaela Harte appearing on the Late Late Show in 2008 Picture: RTE/PA
Michaela Harte appearing on the Late Late Show in 2008 Picture: RTE/PA Michaela Harte appearing on the Late Late Show in 2008 Picture: RTE/PA

Police confirmed today that a man has been arrested and subsequently released on bail in connection with a video mocking the death of Michaela McAreavey.

The 31-year-old was arrested on Wednesday and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Footage emerged in June on social media which showed a group of people singing an offensive song about the murder of Mrs McAreavey on her honeymoon in Mauritius in 2011.

Three men have previously attended voluntarily for interview with police.

The video was taken in Dundonald Orange Hall during a private event on the day of the Northern Ireland centenary celebrations on Saturday May 28.

Members of Portadown Orange Lodge were among those present at the event.

The footage drew condemnation from all sides of the community.

The 27-year-old Co Tyrone teacher was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius on January 10 2011.

Mrs McAreavey, who had married her 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 Orange Order, which branded it “abhorrent”, has launched its own investigation into the incident.

In a statement published in June, three men who have apologised for their involvement 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 men, who resigned from the Orange Order, reiterated their “complete shame and regret for their involvement in the incident”.

They 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.