Ulster MLA Unionist Tom Elliott said he expected “serious repercussions” against any member of the Orange Order involved in a video mocking the death of Michaela McArievy.
At the beginning of BBC Radio Ulster, Mr. Elliott stopped saying that he believed that all members of the organization should be removed from it.
That’s after the video surfaced on social media, showing a group of men singing a song mocking the murder of a 27-year-old teacher in 2011 who was on a honeymoon in Mauritius when she was strangled after threatening a burglary in your hotel room.
It has not yet been confirmed when and where the singing footage was taken, but it was taken in a room decorated with union flags and paintings of the Orange Order.
Two men who participated in the video apologized for the broadcast and singing about the murder of Mrs. McArievy. Orange Order has launched an investigation.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Mr Elliott, himself a member of the Order, said: “I think that if they are members of the Orange Order, there will be very, very serious consequences and disciplinary action will be taken. I have no doubt that the Orange Order will do this in its right way and through its own appropriate channels.
He added that he thought it would be “unfair” for him to comment and “damage any potential problems that may arise” through the PSNI and Orange Order investigations.
Speaking about the same program, Sinn Fein MP Michel Gildernyu called for “leadership” from PSNI.
“Let’s get rid of this sectarianism and hatred in our society,” she said. “You can’t have healthy and resilient communities when these things are allowed to happen.”
PSNI confirmed that they are watching the video.
In a statement released by the PA news agency, John Bell and Andrew McDade, who appeared in the video, said it was “a matter of deep shame and regret” that they were involved in broadcasting and singing about her murder.
They added that it was “insulting, vile and utterly disgusting chanting” and said it “does not reflect who we are as human beings”.
Taosic Michael Martin also told the media on Friday that he was “horrified and horrified” by the video.
The two men involved say their family and friends have since been “subjected to online threats and abuse” as a result of the shared video.
“This live video on Facebook was not streamed with the intention of broadcasting any offensive chants, but was generally broadcast from the room,” JWB Consultancy said in a statement.
We have been notified of highly offensive content on social media, which is allegedly done by one of our employees, and we are now commenting as follows –
As a family and as a business, we strive to ensure an ethos of respect, inclusion and attention in everything we do. pic.twitter.com/eoUIgqItPc
– Norman Emerson Group (@normanemerson) June 3, 2022
“However, whether they are broadcast or not, the songs in question have never had to be sung in public or in private.
“We offer our sincerest and deepest apologies to the Hart and McArievy families and to the wider community for our actions, which, although fueled by alcohol, cannot be mitigated or excused in any way or form.
“Our apology is unequivocal and our acceptance of wrongdoing is absolute.”
Linfield Football Club also apologized and confirmed that it had fired one of its volunteer coaches after appearing in a video mocking the death of Michaela McArievy.
Another company, Craigwon-based sand and gravel supplier Norman Emerson Group Ltd, also said it was investigating allegations that the video was “allegedly made by one of our employees.”
The Belfast Football Club issued a statement after widespread condemnation of the video on social media and confirmed that the coach of the Girls’ Academy had been removed from his post by the club.
“Today, Linfield FC was informed of a deeply offensive video that is being spread on social media, in which the participation of a coach at our girls’ academy can be clearly identified,” the statement said.
“The coach in question was contacted and informed that his voluntary relationship with the club was terminated immediately.
The club said it condemned the “offensive, disgusting and deeply hurtful and offensive chanting” in the video and said they wanted to “completely differentiate themselves from unacceptable behavior”.
“Linfield FC apologizes to the Harte / McCarthy families for the injury caused by the insulting actions of one of our former coaches.”
In a statement, Norman Emerson Group Ltd said they had been “informed” about the video and the apparent involvement of one of their employees.
“As a family and as a business, we strive to ensure an ethos of respect, inclusion and attention in everything we do,” they said.
“Please be sure that a full and thorough internal investigation is underway.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she picked up the video with PSNI chief Simon Byrne, calling it “lewd”.
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