Two men involved in a “vile” and “shameful” video mocking murdered Michaela McAreavey have apologised publicly as cops launched a probe.
The fallout over the shocking clip, which appeared on social media Friday morning, prompted a huge outcry both north and south.
Michaela’s husband John McAreavey, who was on honeymoon with his new bride when she was murdered, paid tribute to her in the wake of the horrific post.
He said on Twitter: “Michaela was a vessel of love, courage and dignity. Hate can hurt, but can never win.”
READ MORE: Linfield FC sack coach over "sickening" Michaela McAreavey video
Meanwhile, politicians across the island joined in condemning those involved with Taoiseach Micheal Martin saying he was “appalled” and “horrified” after watching it.
Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill spoke with John McAreavey personally to offer “solidarity” to both his and the Harte families.
Linfield football club sacked one of its coaches, believed to be in the video, while the Orange Order and a construction company, which says one of its employees was involved, launched their own investigations.
Two of the men involved in the recording, John Bell and Andrew McDade, apologised and said it was a matter of “deep shame and regret”.
Bell and McDade issued a statement through the PR firm JWB Consultancy, run by Jamie Bryson who calls himself a “unionist activist”.
They vowed to write a formal letter of apology to the Harte and McAreavey families and to make a donation to a charity of their choice.
The pair admitted it was an “offensive, vile and wholly abhorrent chant”.
And in the statement, 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.”
The men say several family members and friends have been subjected to online threats and abuse over their “unacceptable actions”.
The statement added: “This is unfair and unwarranted; it is us and us alone who are responsible for our actions.
“Whilst brought upon ourselves, this incident has had a significant impact upon us and we ask for privacy at this time.”
Mrs McAreavey, 27, was strangled in her room at the Legends Hotel in Mauritius on January 10 2011.
The Irish language 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, who led Tyrone to three All-Ireland football titles.
The video which has been shared across social media references the woman going to “Mauritius on her honeymoon”.
Those singing go on to mock her death in the hotel room and reference the murder victim’s father.
The video shows a group of men in a room of dozens of people, drinking, laughing, and chanting.
It has yet to be established where or when the video was recorded, however it was broadcast live on a personal Facebook page.
And the footage was filmed in a room bedecked with Union Jacks, Orange Order banners and paintings.
Meanwhile, Belfast football club Linfield sacked a volunteer coach after they said he was identified in the video.
It said it took immediate action, notifying him that his voluntary association with the club “has been terminated with immediate effect”. The coach had worked in the club’s girls’ academy.
Linfield branded the chanting as “offensive, sickening and deeply hurtful and insulting” and said it was “unacceptable behaviour”.
It added: “Linfield FC apologies 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 said an investigation had begun on their end after it said one of its employees was in the video.
And the Orange Order began its own internal probe saying the actions of those involved “have no place in our society and certainly do not reflect the ethos of our organisation”.
It said if any of its members were found to be in the video, they will face disciplinary action.
Earlier, the PSNI confirmed it was investigating the contents of the video. A spokesman said: “Police are aware of the video posted online and are examining the content to determine if any offences may have been committed.”
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Martin called out the sectarianism displayed in the video insisting that those involved should be dealt with.
Mr Martin said: “I was appalled and horrified at that video and we all remember that horrific murder of Michaela McAreavey.
“It’s beyond comprehension that people could behave in that manner and be so indifferent to the trauma that the family suffered, her entire family and indeed community.
“I think it speaks to a sectarianism and a degree of malice and hate in society that needs to be dealt with and those involved in that should apologise in the first instance.
“The entire community and those involved should reflect very strongly on that.
“It’s just beyond comprehension.”
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill spoke to John McAreavey personally to express solidarity.
And she tweeted: “Hate and sectarianism have no place in our society.
People deserve better. Love over hate will always win out.”
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson also weighed in as he labelled the footage as “vile”.
He added: “It is plain wrong and is deeply hurtful to the family of Michaela McAreavey.”
Former Armagh footballer and current SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, who won an All-Ireland with the Orchard County in 2002, fumed over the incident.
On social media, he wrote: “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.”
And DUP 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.”
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