Two men have apologised for their involvement in a video appearing to show a group of people mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey. The video, which emerged on social media today, has prompted outcry in Northern Ireland and beyond, as well as across the political spectrum.
The footage, which appears to have been filmed with Orange Order banners in the background, was uploaded to Facebook but has since been taken down. Politicians united to condemn the video, while the Orange Order said an inquiry had begun and called the clip “utterly abhorrent”
In a statement issued through the PA news agency, two of the people involved, John Bell and Andrew McDade, offered an apology for their actions. Calling it a matter of “deep shame and regret”, the two men have promised to write a formal letter of apology to the Harte and McAreavey families and to make a donation to a charity of their choice.
