Council launched an internal investigation over alleged employee involvement

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council released a statement on Saturday morning.

John and Michaela McAreavey

A council in Northern Ireland has launched an internal investigation over the alleged involvement of one of its employees in the Michaela McAreavey video.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said officials had been made aware of the video allegedly involving a council employee.

Ms McAreavey, daughter of former Tyrone General Athletic Association manager Mickey Harte, was murdered ten days into her honeymoon in Mauritius in 2011.

Late on Thursday, a video showing people appearing to sing a song about the murder of Michaela surfaced on social media.

Politicians widely condemned it from across the spectrum in Northern Ireland.

In a statement on Saturday morning, the council said: "Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has been made aware of disturbing social media content allegedly involving a Council employee.

"While we acknowledge that the behaviour undertaken was carried out in a private capacity, beyond the control of the Council, we wish to reassure the public that we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and have launched an internal investigation.

"As an equal opportunities employer, such behaviour does not represent the values of our organisation. We serve all community members with respect and dignity and utterly condemn this defamatory and sectarian behaviour.

"We would like to express our sincere sympathy to the McAreavey and Harte families at this distressing time.

"An updated statement will be released in due course."

On Friday night, John McAreavey said, "hate can hurt, but never win", after a video mocking the death of his bride surfaced.

Two men have issued a statement apologising for their involvement in the video.

The men's statement said they had been taking part in a Facebook Live video which was not explicitly meant to broadcast the singing but accepted "the relevant chants should never have been sung either in public or private".

The Grand Orange Lodge has said it is investigating the incident. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said it is examining the video for evidence on whether any offences were committed.

A Linfield FC voluntary coach has been removed from his role at the club over his involvement in the video.