Madam, – I am sure there is not one person in Ireland whose heart does not go out to the Harte family on the tragic death of their daughter Michaela.
I am, however very concerned that the various forms of media are treating the death as a sensational peace of news. The unceasing coverage with all the gory details; and photographs, particularly those of the coffin being transported, do nothing to offer sympathy to the family, but instead feed a morbid unhealthy curiosity. It is impossible unless you have gone through a tragedy such as this one to even attempt to understand how the family are feeling. They are completely devastated, their world as they know it has fallen apart, life will never be the same again without Michaela.
I implore the media to respect the family’s privacy and dignity now Michaela’s body is home and her funeral is awaited. The best thing we can do is to help is to offer our prayers for the family, as they will need the supernatural strength only God can give to get through this tragedy. – Yours, etc,