Ballymena teenager dies following sectarian attack

A 15-year-old boy who was seriously assaulted during a sectarian attack in County Antrim at the weekend, has died in hospital.

Michael McIlveen, from the Dunvale Estate in Ballymena, and a friend were walking home after going to get a pizza, when they were confronted by a gang of men, in an entry in the Garfield Place area of the town, just after midnight on Sunday.

The victim's friend managed to escape, however when they caught Michael, the attackers allegedly beat him with baseball bats and jumped on his head.

He managed to make his way back home, before being taken to Antrim Area hospital, where he lost his fight for life at around 8pm yesterday.

Five people, including a juvenile, have been arrested in connection with the murder and are currently being questioned by detectives.

Police in the town have confirmed they are treating the attack as sectarian, and have urged public representatives to help ease tensions and prevent retaliatory attacks.

Commenting on the murder, DUP leader and local MP Dr Ian Paisley said: "This was a horrific attack that will be condemned by all right thinking and law abiding people in Ballymena. Those responsible have nothing whatsoever to offer to the people of the town and must face the full rigours of the law."

Dr Paisley continued: "The passing of Michael McIlveen is a tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time. Those involved in attempting to use this tragedy as a political football ought to be ashamed of themselves and remember that a family have lost a son.

"I understand that the police have made arrests and I would appeal to those with any information to come forward and help the police bring to justice those responsible for this brutal and heinous attack."

The DUP leader concluded by appealing for calm as we move towards the marching season and added that any "reprisal or upping the anti" would serve no purpose other than to make matters worse.

He also called for all sides to pull back from the brink before "tragedy is multiplied by catastrophe."

North Antrim MLA Sean Farren has strongly also condemned the attack.

He said: “No words are strong enough to condemn this attack and no excuse can possibly be offered in its defence. When our young people cannot feel safe walking the streets of our town at whatever hour of the day or night we have some very serious questions to answer.

“Unfortunately we have witnessed similar attacks in Ballymena and elsewhere in the past and each one has brought pain and tragedy to the families and friends of those affected."

Mr Farren continued by saying that this "vicious circle of sectarian attacks" must be tackled and must be broken if are ever to see normal peaceful and harmonious relationships established between our communities.

He added: “There must be no equivocation in condemning this attack and all community leaders, whether politicians or otherwise must join in a determined effort to draw the sectarian poison which has motivated it.”

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain, has expressed his sympathy to the family of the murdered teenager.

Mr Hain said: “This was a sickening sectarian attack which has taken the life of a teenager with his whole life in front of him. His family are grieving and my thoughts are with them at this terrible time.

“Those who are responsible for this murderous attack must be brought to justice and anyone with any information must bring it to the police.

“Everyone will condemn this murder, which drags Northern Ireland back to the dark days of the past. This is not the type of Northern Ireland that the people want and we must all redouble our efforts to try and eradicate sectarianism.”

Detectives in Ballymena have appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the attack or have any information relating to it, which may be of use to their investigations, to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or alternatively they can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(EF/SP)