Several Derry County companies have been taking action after some of their employees were identified in pictures taken last month mocking the 2011 murder of Tyrone County teacher Michaela McAreavey.
The 27-year-old teacher and daughter of former Tyrone football coach Mickey Harte was murdered 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 was disturbed by a robbery.
No one has been convicted of the murder.
Since the images were posted online last week, action has been taken against several men identified in the video.
The NIFL Linfield club fired a female youth coach allegedly involved in the incident, while Portadown FC removed a billboard from a business owned by another identified man.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council launched an internal investigation after one of their employees was allegedly involved, while the Order of Orange also condemned the incident.
A minute of applause was also held on Sunday in the 27th minute of the Armagh and Tyrone All-Ireland SFC qualifier at Athletic Grounds in solidarity with the Harte and McAreavey families.
Now, several Derry County companies have released statements detailing the actions to be taken after some of their employees are identified as participating in the singing.
Kilrea-based Hutchinson Engineering issued a statement describing the video’s content as “disgusting”.
“Unfortunately, we have received a very offensive online social media content notification that includes a staff member who has recently joined the company,” they said.
“As a family and as a company, we strive to promote an ethos of dignity, respect and integrity in everything we do.
“While we can’t control what our staff does outside of work, we expect our staff to act in accordance with our company’s values both inside and outside the workplace.
“Content posted online is disgusting, divisive, and we unequivocally condemn such behavior. It has no place in society and we will not tolerate such conduct by any staff member.
“We have informed the staff member that their employment relationship has been terminated with immediate effect.
“Our thoughts are with the Harte and McAreavey families at this difficult time and we congratulate them on the dignified manner in which they dealt with this matter.
“Hate can hurt, but it never wins,” they added, referring to a similar statement made by Michaela’s widower, John.
Cunningham Covers, in Maghera, said he would conduct a “thorough” investigation after one of his employees attended the event.
“We have been informed of the attendance of one of our employees at a recent event where extremely offensive, derogatory and disgusting behavior occurred,” they said.
“As a family business we strive to ensure respect and inclusion in everything we do and, as such, we denounce this behavior and bigotry.
“We will conduct a full and thorough internal investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the Harte and McAreavey families in these most difficult times,” they added.
Super Seal Window Systems Ltd, based in Castledawson, also issued a statement saying “appropriate action had been taken” against one of its employees.
“Unfortunately, we have been notified of very offensive online social media content involving one of our employees,” they said.
“Our policies dictate that anyone who works, supplies or does business with the company should never be subjected to conduct that violates their dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
“Content posted online goes against everything we, as a family and business, represent, expect and accept from our employees.
“We are proud to have a diverse workforce and we denounce and abhor divisive and fanatical behavior.
“The appropriate actions were then taken with immediate effect.
“Our thoughts are with the Harte and McAreavey families right now,” they added.
Fyfe’s Car Parts, which has a branch in Magherafelt, said it had launched an investigation into the incident, which “may involve” one of its employees.
“Fyfes has been informed of extremely offensive content circulating on social media, which may involve one of its employees.
“Fyfes condemns all forms of discriminatory behavior and language, and a thorough investigation has already been launched. We will take appropriate action based on their outcome.
“As a third generation family business with over 100 years, with over 200 people working, Fyfes works with a set of core values, the most important of which is respect, respect for our customers, team and communities in which we serve.
“Thank you for your patience as we conduct our research,” they added.
Kenny’s Convenience Stores, which have stores in Kilrea, Garvagh, Coleraine and Magherafelt, said they had terminated the employment of a staff member.
“We have noticed some very offensive posts on social media involving a staff member,” they said in a statement posted on social media.
“We acknowledge that the conduct in question has been carried out privately outside the control of the company, but we are taking this matter very seriously.
“As a company, we do not tolerate or tolerate offensive or disrespectful conduct on the part of our staff.
“We have notified the staff member that their work has been terminated with immediate effect.
“We wholeheartedly apologize for the damage this has caused to the McAreavey / Harte families, our staff, our customers and the communities we have served for the past 29 years.”
Meanwhile, a PSNI investigation has been opened into the incident, and police have confirmed that they had interviewed a man in connection with the alleged crimes.
“Our investigation into this incident is ongoing,” a spokesman said.
“On June 5, we interviewed a man who voluntarily attended the interview. A file will be prepared for review by the PPS (Prosecutor’s Office) in due course.”
Jamie Bryson, acting as a consultant for three men identified in the video, said the situation had become a “public witch hunt.”
“We can confirm that a PSNI investigation has been initiated in accordance with the Communications Act,” a statement from JWB Consultancy said.
“In any case, regardless of whether it is broadcast or not, relevant behavior is not acceptable in any sector of our society, either in public or in private.
UPDATED statement regarding the hateful incident related to Michaela McAreavey pic.twitter.com/RXFrVMVUwY
– JWB Consultancy (@JwbConsultancy) June 6, 2022
“Since this matter is the subject of a police investigation, it will not be possible to offer any more specific comments so as not to harm such investigations.
“This is becoming a public witch hunt, which includes repeated death threats and there is a growing crowd on social media that seems to have lost all control over reality.
“Now is the time to draw a line under this vile incident and allow any investigation to continue.”