Michaela - The Aftermath (Please exercise discretion)

[maggie]

Couldn't help being moved seeing John kissing the coffin....
I would like to add to the earlier sentiments in praise of all the members of Errigal GFC who assisted at the wake in any way. From the bus drivers to the stewards, parking attendants and ladies making tea and soup. It was planned and executed with military precision but the sense of community was evident throughout. I only hope that the Harte and McAreavey families can take some strength from this community in the many dark days ahead.

[balladmaker]

I thought the Irish News headline was inappropriate and screamed insensitivity given the day it was. It could have been an inside story.

Agree.  I had issue with the Irish News reporting on several occasions, it just smacked of very cheap journalism.  They flew someone out to report from Mauritius, and to be honest, anyone on this board could have written the same piece, nothing but lazy journalism.  Not to forget the two obvious mistakes they made and had to publish apologies the following days.

As a viewer on television last night, I was taken by the level of composure and dignity on view.  How they held it together to get through such a tragic day was unbelievable.  Hopefully that same strength will carry them through the days, months and years ahead.  I can't recall the last time a death has hit so many people in so many places.  That itself is testament to the life which Michaela lived, and to the total respect for the Harte and McAreavey families by the community.

[seafoid]

Fair play to Peter Robinson and Tom Elliott for supporting the 2 families so publicly .

[Orior]

I thought the Irish News headline was inappropriate and screamed insensitivity given the day it was. It could have been an inside story.

Agree.  I had issue with the Irish News reporting on several occasions, it just smacked of very cheap journalism.  They flew someone out to report from Mauritius, and to be honest, anyone on this board could have written the same piece, nothing but lazy journalism.  Not to forget the two obvious mistakes they made and had to publish apologies the following days.

As a viewer on television last night, I was taken by the level of composure and dignity on view.  How they held it together to get through such a tragic day was unbelievable.  Hopefully that same strength will carry them through the days, months and years ahead.  I can't recall the last time a death has hit so many people in so many places.  That itself is testament to the life which Michaela lived, and to the total respect for the Harte and McAreavey families by the community.

Surely sometimes "lazy journalism" is appropriate.

[Tony Baloney]

I also thought it very strange that the IN felt compelled to send a reporter out to cover developments first hand. The word "jolly" springs to mind as some of the stuff read like a cut and paste job which could quite feasibly have been cobbled together in Donegall St. Maybe she was already, coincidentally out there on holiday?!

[balladmaker]

Surely sometimes "lazy journalism" is appropriate.

I'm referring to the fact that they did not need someone in Mauritius to report what they did, anyone could have reported the same from here.  It's only a side point and irrelevant to the real life tragedy that occurred.

[gallsman]

Dreadful piece in today's Indo at the end of the funeral coverage. Headline read something like "No Mass in Mauritius for fear of disturbing guests."

To my mind, the implication was that there was no concern on the island over the case and that the funeral (and by extension Michaela's death) was being disrespected, even though later in the article they mentioned about the memorial service held last week at the request of the staff.

[ONeill]

I have a serious dislike for the way the media in gerneral react to such tragedies, how they play it out in the immediate aftermath and the subtle milking of the public's sympathy. Some of the questioning from BBC and UTV reporters left a lot to be desired in terms of their intentions. That Irish News headline on the day of the funeral spoke volumes for their supposed empathy towards the families involved. Yet, we buy the papers and watch their bulletins.

However, I suppose that's for another thread on another day.

[gallsman]

I have a serious dislike for the way the media in gerneral react to such tragedies, how they play it out in the immediate aftermath and the subtle milking of the public's sympathy. Some of the questioning from BBC and UTV reporters left a lot to be desired in terms of their intentions. That Irish News headline on the day of the funeral spoke volumes for their supposed empathy towards the families involved. Yet, we buy the papers and watch their bulletins.

However, I suppose that's for another thread on another day.

That is unfortunately true, but is also unfortunately fuelled by our demand. Due to nature of who Michaela was to Tyrone people and the wider GAA community we are perhaps extra-sensitive when it comes to viewing the media's approach to this particular tragedy. It's an ugly thing to admit, but there are other tragedies we can't get enough of info about.

I have no connection with Michaela or the Harte family, or anyone from Errigal Ciaran. However, as a GAA supporter and an admirer of Mickey Harte I would have liked to attend the funeral to show my sympathy and support. Unfortuantely I couldn't due to work commitments, but was glad for the opportunity to listen to it through the internet.

[theskull1]

I wouldn't say we fuel the format of the reporting though gallsman.

Most people I'd say were utterly impressed with the way the Errigal Ciaran club kept camera lenses at a distance yesterday. They made sure respect and dignity was delivered to the families. It was their obvious imperiative throughout. We should all take some pride away as members of the GAA family the way they carried out their duties.

As has been mentioned, Peter Robinsons words yesterday were very poignant. I do think statements like that bring this island forward in leaps. 

[Tony Baloney]

I wouldn't say we fuel the format of the reporting though gallsman.

Most people I'd say were utterly impressed with the way the Errigal Ciaran club kept camera lenses at a distance yesterday. They made sure respect and dignity was delivered to the families. It was their obvious imperiative throughout. We should all take some pride away as members of the GAA family the way they carried out their duties.

As has been mentioned, Peter Robinsons words yesterday were very poignant. I do think statements like that bring this island forward in leaps.

You and I know that come election time normal service will have resumed for Robinson, Elliott etc.

[ross matt]

Dreadful piece in today's Indo at the end of the funeral coverage. Headline read something like "No Mass in Mauritius for fear of disturbing guests."

To my mind, the implication was that there was no concern on the island over the case and that the funeral (and by extension Michaela's death) was being disrespected, even though later in the article they mentioned about the memorial service held last week at the request of the staff.

Yeah Gallsman. Saw that and thought it was a strange and agenda driven article. Drawing comparisons between the end of the funeral in Tyrone and life going on in the hotel at the same time etc...

[theskull1]

We're all evolving Tony, some faster than others.

[Oldhacker]

The story in the Independent claiming that there were no memorial services in Mauritius yesterday also appeared in the Belfast Telegraph this morning. It was completely untrue, as the Irish News carried a full report today on a special mass held in a Catholic Church close to the Legends resort.

[armaghniac]

Dreadful piece in today's Indo at the end of the funeral coverage. Headline read something like "No Mass in Mauritius for fear of disturbing guests."

This was a disgraceful piece of journalism, by a person who purported to be on the island. it is simply untrue, as well as being in bad taste. The Mauritian news media reported that a tribute was delivered on Monday 17 January, in the church of Saint-Ange-Gardien, in Grand Baie, in memory of Michael Hart, at the time when the funeral took place in Ireland. This ceremony in Mauritius was attended by Tourism Minister Nando Bodha, the foreign minister, Arvin Boolell, and representatives of the tourism sector.

http://www.lexpress.mu/story/20110-dernier-hommage-en-memoire-de-michaela-harte-en-irlande-et-a-maurice.html

It seems to me that this sounds like a proper memorial which should be recognised and not subject to untrue reporting.

also appeared in the Belfast Telegraph this morning.

I can't see this on the Telegraph website, did they pull it?