Kilrea based company, Hutchinson Engineering , have issued a statement following an online video which emerged proposedly showing an employee taking part in a song mocking murdered Northern Ireland honeymooner Michaela McAreavey.
The online video was filmed in what appeared to be an Orange Order hall showing several individuals singing a song about the 27-year-old Irish language teacher’s death.
Releasing the statement CEO Mark Hutchison wrote: “We have unfortunately been notified of highly offensive online social media content involving a staff member who has recently joined the company.
“As a family and a business, we strive to promote an ethos of dignity, respect, and integrity in everything that we do. Whilst we cannot control what our staff do outside of work, we do expect our staff to act in accordance with our company values both inside and outside of the workplace.
“The content posted online is abhorrent, divisive and we unequivocally condemn such behaviour. It has no place in society and we will not tolerate such conduct by any member of staff.
“We have advised the staff member that his employment has been terminated with immediate effect.
“Our thoughts are with the Harte and McAreavey families at this difficult time and we commend them for the dignified manner in which they faced this matter.
Causeway Coast and Glens SDLP Councillor Helena Dallat O’Driscoll has respond saying: “The gratuitous, vile sectarian hatred on display in that video was truly disturbing.
“We simply cannot tolerate hatred like this in our society. I hope some of the leadership that has been displayed brings at least some comfort to the Harte and McAreavey families. My heart goes out to them.”
