Legal

Man dismissed over Michaela McAreavey clip says he was ‘not aware’ of offensive chants

Lorry driver tells industrial tribunal he was not aware of chants about McAreavey, who was murdered in 2011, and was streaming simply to ‘show the atmosphere of the day’ at event to mark NI’s centenary last May

PA
May 16, 2023

Andrew McDade: lorry driver is challenging his dismissal from Norman Emerson Group Limited over a video clip he filmed on Facebook Live of people singing lyrics around the murder of Co Tyrone school teacher Micheala McAreavey. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

A lorry driver has claimed he was “not aware” of offensive chanting about murder victim Michaela McAreavey when he streamed a video from a Co Down Orange Hall.

Andrew McDade made the claim at an industrial tribunal as he challenged the decision by his former employer to dismiss him in the aftermath of the Facebook Live broadcast last May.

He had been attending an event at Dundonald Orange Hall when he live-streamed footage of singing ...