A Northern Irish lorry driver who streamed an offensive song about murdered Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey has lost his case at an employment tribunal that he had been unfairly dismissed from his job.
Andrew McDade from Portadown, Co Armagh was let go from his job at Norman Emerson Group after a snippet of the video caused outrage last May.
He had been attending an event at Dundonald Orange Hall when he livestreamed footage, including the singing of a song which mocked the daughter of former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte, who was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius in January 2011.
Mr McDade said he had not been aware of the song as he streamed the video live to his Facebook page. The 31 second clip went viral across the country and world, sparking strong condemnation.
His employer became associated with the video as they were listed on his Facebook page. The company then investigated McDade’s conduct and following a disciplinary procedure, he was removed from his employment on June 10th 2022. McDade had been employed as a HGV driver with the company for approximately eight years up to his dismissal.
While he did not appeal against the dismissal at the time, Mr McDade went on to take an unfair dismissal case against his former employer on August 11th 2022.
His claim has been dismissed by a panel of judges, led by tribunal president Noel Kelly, who heard arguments in the case last month.