Menu
01/05/2009
Judge Slams Murderers Lack Of Remorse
A judge has today concluded that three of the four men he convicted of the brutal sectarian murder of a Catholic schoolboy displayed "no clear evidence of remorse or contrition".
Almost three years after his death of 15-year-old Michael McIlveen, four Ballymena men were jailed today for a collective total of 45 years for the murder.
Sentencing the four men at Antrim Crown Court, Judge Seamus Treacy said a "lethal cocktail of drugs, drink, youth and sectarianism" provided the context for the schoolboy's brutal murder.
Michael was beaten with a baseball bat and kicked around 60 times in an alley in Ballymena in 2006.
Today at Antrim Crown Court, Christopher Francis Kerr, 22, of Carnduff Drive, was jailed for a minimum of 13 years, Jeff Colin Lewis (20) of Rossdale and Aaron Cavana Wallace, 20, of Moat Road were each jailed for 11 years, and Mervyn Wilson Moon, 20, was jailed for 10 years for murder.
Lewis, Kerr and Wallace were all convicted of murder following a lengthy trial. Moon had pleaded guilty to murder at the start of the trial in September 2008.
The judge imposed the highest sentence on Kerr, stating that he had gone to "considerable trouble" to secure the baseball bat which was used in the attack and that he had particularly "indicated no remorse" for his role in the murder and has failed to accept any responsibility.
He added that in the case of Lewis and Wallace, there is "no clear evidence of remorse or contrition" either, but said that Moon, however, had demonstrated remorse.
Three other Ballymena men were also in the dock for sentencing in connection with the murder.
Christopher Andrew McLeister of Knock Crescent, who was found guilty of manslaughter, received a three-year sentence, suspended for two years.
Paul Edward David Henson of Condiere Avenue was sentenced to nine months for affray and criminal damage, and Peter McMullan, 18, from Meadowvale in the town received a conditional discharge after he admitted a charge of criminal damage.
See: Guilty Verdict For Killers Of Ballymena Schoolboy
Almost three years after his death of 15-year-old Michael McIlveen, four Ballymena men were jailed today for a collective total of 45 years for the murder.
Sentencing the four men at Antrim Crown Court, Judge Seamus Treacy said a "lethal cocktail of drugs, drink, youth and sectarianism" provided the context for the schoolboy's brutal murder.
Michael was beaten with a baseball bat and kicked around 60 times in an alley in Ballymena in 2006.
Today at Antrim Crown Court, Christopher Francis Kerr, 22, of Carnduff Drive, was jailed for a minimum of 13 years, Jeff Colin Lewis (20) of Rossdale and Aaron Cavana Wallace, 20, of Moat Road were each jailed for 11 years, and Mervyn Wilson Moon, 20, was jailed for 10 years for murder.
Lewis, Kerr and Wallace were all convicted of murder following a lengthy trial. Moon had pleaded guilty to murder at the start of the trial in September 2008.
The judge imposed the highest sentence on Kerr, stating that he had gone to "considerable trouble" to secure the baseball bat which was used in the attack and that he had particularly "indicated no remorse" for his role in the murder and has failed to accept any responsibility.
He added that in the case of Lewis and Wallace, there is "no clear evidence of remorse or contrition" either, but said that Moon, however, had demonstrated remorse.
Three other Ballymena men were also in the dock for sentencing in connection with the murder.
Christopher Andrew McLeister of Knock Crescent, who was found guilty of manslaughter, received a three-year sentence, suspended for two years.
Paul Edward David Henson of Condiere Avenue was sentenced to nine months for affray and criminal damage, and Peter McMullan, 18, from Meadowvale in the town received a conditional discharge after he admitted a charge of criminal damage.
See: Guilty Verdict For Killers Of Ballymena Schoolboy
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
09 July 2002
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
12 February 2003
McGinley murderers sentenced to at least 15 years
The pair convicted of the murder of 34-year-old Fermanagh businessman Gerard McGinley have been sentenced to serve at least 15 years in prison at Belfast High Court today.
McGinley murderers sentenced to at least 15 years
The pair convicted of the murder of 34-year-old Fermanagh businessman Gerard McGinley have been sentenced to serve at least 15 years in prison at Belfast High Court today.
10 July 2015
Over £1m Secured For Early Years Fund
Over £1 million in funding has been secured for the Early Years Fund. The Fund, which supports 153 early years organisations across Northern Ireland, will use the funding to ensure current services continue until March 2016. Education Minister John O'Dowd confirmed £1.1m in funding.
Over £1m Secured For Early Years Fund
Over £1 million in funding has been secured for the Early Years Fund. The Fund, which supports 153 early years organisations across Northern Ireland, will use the funding to ensure current services continue until March 2016. Education Minister John O'Dowd confirmed £1.1m in funding.
08 November 2021
DUP Challenges Amnesty Proposals On 34th Anniversary Of Enniskillen Bombing
Marking the 34th anniversary of the Enniskillen Bombing, the DUP's Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine, has challenged the UK government over their Amnesty proposals.
DUP Challenges Amnesty Proposals On 34th Anniversary Of Enniskillen Bombing
Marking the 34th anniversary of the Enniskillen Bombing, the DUP's Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine, has challenged the UK government over their Amnesty proposals.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
