Social network sites calls for boycottSocial networking sites were alive with backlash following the 'not guilty' verdict in the Michaela McAreavy trial.
Social network sites calls for boycott
Social networking sites were alive with backlash following the ‘not guilty’ verdict in the Michaela McAreavy trial.
A Facebook group called “Boycott Mauritius” was set up on Thursday and has almost 5,000 members.
The group calls on members to “show your disgust at the actions of the island of Mauritus” and to boycott the island.
The comments included:“Shame on the Mauritius Supreme Court. Shame on the Defense counsel. Avoid this country at all costs. There is no justice in this country.”
Another contributor said: “People may feel angry, emotional and dismayed but we could boycott every country in the world for its failings in the judicial/legal system. Certainly the pressure should be put on the Mauritius government to sort its own procedures out.”
Several group members urged people to boycott the holiday island and slammed the decision of the Mauritius judicial system, while others paid wishes to the McAreavy and Harte families.
People also took to a Mauritius Facebook page where there was a mix of comments with some calling for perspective.
One person wrote: “While I agree that this investigation and trial appears to have been shambolic from start to finish I am also embarrassed and ashamed by some of the inarticulate and abusive comments posted by Irish people here”
“The decent people of Ireland understand that the decent people of Mauritius are as appalled by this crime as we are, The idiots posting abuse on this page don’t represent us,” another wrote.
Twitter hashtags following the news of the ‘not guilty’ verdict included #BoycottMauritius and #JusticeforMichaela.
One Twitter user (Ronan Lynch) voiced his dismay at the verdict stating “Sad state of affairs. Flawed investigation from start to finish. Heart goes out to the McAreevy/Harte families #BoycottMauritius
Another (Colum Quinn) said “Irish people and anyone who cares should #BoycottMauritius and their tourism. They have let down an innocent girl.”