Investigation needed into funding of Orange Order and flute band at the centre of vile McAreavey song, says Tóibín

Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín, has expressed his disgust at a social media video of a group singing a song mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius.

“The tragedy of Michaela McAreavey’s murder extended across the whole of Ireland north and south, regardless of political, religious or social background,” Deputy Tóibín said.

“It was truly shocking and disturbing to see a group of men mocking this murder in such as vile manner.

“It’s shockingly offensive to Michaela, her family and all the people of Ireland who were hurt so deeply by her death.

“We want to offer our solidarity and our thoughts to the McAreavey and Harte families in what is a desperately difficult time for them.”

Deputy Tóibín said his party is submitting questions to Stormont, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, each council, the EU and to the Irish government.

“The song that went viral was video recorded at an event at Dundonald Orange Hall to mark the centenary celebrations for the north of Ireland state,” Deputy Tóibín said.

“It has also come to light that some of the people who sang this shockingly offensive song were members of a Loyalist Flute Band.

“That such sectarianism would be evident at an event to mark the creation of ‘a Protestant state for a Protestant people’ is not lost on many Nationalists and Catholics living in the north of Ireland.

“Serious questions must now be raised as to what state and council funding do the Orange Order and certain Loyalist Flute Bands receive?

“Aontú is submitting questions to Stormont, the Secretary of State for the North of Ireland, to each council, to the EU and to the southern Irish government to ascertain the what funding is delivered and to whom.

“The manner in which community development funding is delivered in the north through organizations who have a track record of maintaining community division must be reappraised.

“Community development funding should be tendered for openly and in a transparent manner so that we don’t fossilize this kind of sectarian division any more”.