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The North’s Minister of Justice has said a video showing people mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey is a reminder of the “deep cancer of sectarianism right across our society”.
Naomi Long called on politicians to do more to tackle sectarianism and misogyny, and spoke of the public “horror” after realising the incident “wasn’t a one off”.
The social media video emerged last Friday and showed a group of people, mostly men, singing about the 27-year-old Co Tyrone teacher who was murdered on honeymoon in Mauritius in 2011.
It is understood it was filmed in an Orange Hall in Dundonald.
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Ms Long said it was obvious that “this wasn’t one person singing something no one else had heard” as a “room full of people” joined in and “clearly knew the words to a song they had sung before”.
“The idea that this has been going on, if you like, behind closed doors for some time, actually really horrified people,” the Alliance Party leader told BBC Northern Ireland’s Sunday Politics show.
“I think that’s something, from my perspective that certainly shocked me and there didn’t seem to be anyone, certainly not in that clip, who intervened to stop it either which again begs questions as to just how routine this kind of behaviour is.”
She added: “When I saw the video, it is a reminder there is a deep cancer of sectarianism right across our society and we need to root that out because that kind of bitterness and hatred really has no place in a modern Northern Ireland.”
[ Two men apologise for mocking murder of Michaela McAreavey ]
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Friday it is investigating the content to “determine if any offences may have been committed”.
When asked by The Irish Times on Sunday if police are treating the matter as a hate crime, a PSNI spokeswoman said the inquiry is still “at an early stage” and could provide no further comment.
Mrs McAreavey, who had married husband John 10 days earlier, was strangled after she returned to her hotel room alone and disturbed a burglary. No one has been convicted of killing the daughter of former Tyrone manager Mickey Harte.
Ms Long confirmed she met the Chief Constable Simon Byrne to discuss the video but would not be drawn on what crimes she believes have been committed, due to concerns about prejudicing the outcome of the investigation.
“It’s a matter for the police to judge... but it’s fairly clear the tape was profoundly sectarian, deeply insulting and hurtful.”
[ Keith Duggan: North’s united response to vile video perhaps one small reason for hope ]
Politicians from across the spectrum have condemned the behaviour of those involved while the Orange Order has launched an internal inquiry, describing the footage as “utterly abhorrent”.
On Sunday, newspaper reports claimed two men identified in the video, Andrew McDade and John Bell, have quit the Orange Order.
The pair issued a statement on Friday expressing their “deep shame and regret” and promised to write a formal letter of apology to the Harte and McAreavey families.
Linfield Football Club in Belfast sacked Bell on Friday — he coached at its girls’ academy — saying he could be “clearly identified” in the “deeply offensive” video.
Meanwhile, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council confirmed on Saturday it has launched an investigation into one of its employees.
The Emerson Group also issued a statement to say it was examining the alleged role of a worker.
Ms Long contrasted the “vile” behaviour of those involved to the “grace and humanity” of John McAreavey who posted a tweet on Friday evening.
Mr McAreavey wrote: “Michaela was a vessel of love, courage and dignity. Hate can hurt, but never win.”
The Alliance leader urged politicians to deal with the small minority “constantly dragging us back”.
“We do need to reflect as politicians what more we can do to try to tackle sectarianism and misogyny in our society.”
She added: “The wave of revulsion across the community speaks to how vile this was. It has sickened a lot of people to their absolute core.”