Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Cormac O'Shea

RTE commentator labels Michaela McAreavey video 'disgusting' as Armagh v Tyrone opens with poignant moment

The All-Ireland qualifier between Armagh and Tyrone opened with a minutes applause after the "vile" Michaela McAreavey video earlier this week.

The video of a group singing a song about the Irish woman's death has been universally slammed this week.

And supporters of both Ulster counties as well as both sets of players were part of a round of applause for Michaela in response to the incident.

Michaela is the daughter of former Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, with the entire family hugely popular in GAA circles.

(PA)

As the applause took place, RTE commentator Ger Canning labelled the video "disgusting", calling it a "vile piece of tape".

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.”

Meanwhile, politicians across the island joined in condemning those involved with Taoiseach Micheal Martin saying he was “appalled” and “horrified” after watching it.

(PA)

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”.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.