Reprisal fears over boy's murder

Michael McIlveen died after being attacked in Ballymena

Extra police have been deployed to prevent reprisals for the murder of Michael McIlveen, police have said.

The teenager died last Monday, the day after he was attacked by a gang at Garfield Place, Ballymena.

Superintendent Terry Shevlin said there were concerns that republicans may retaliate for the killing of the 15-year-old Catholic schoolboy.

Mr Shevlin said that extra resources were being deployed to try and prevent attacks and "provide reassurance".

"Sectarian assaults in Ballymena are not a one-way affair. It wouldn't be fair to the whole community to suggest that it was one on the other - this has been a two-way affair," he said.

"Sectarianism has to have two parties to be involved in it and this is what has been happening in Ballymena.

"We are doing our absolute best, but sectarianism is not a policing issue to solve."

He said there were "real concerns" about possible retaliation and noted there had been dissident republican activity in the town.

On Monday, leaflets were handed out in the loyalist Ballykeel estate stating that a community watch group had been set up to "protect children" in the area.

Michael's uncles carried the coffin into the house

Mr Shevlin said people should leave policing to his officers and that anyone who wanted to get involved in community protection should do so through neighbourhood watch schemes.

Hundreds of people gathered in the County Antrim town on Monday for the return Michael's body to his home.

The melody of There Were Roses, a song about the futility of sectarian murder, was played as his coffin was taken inside the house in the Dunvale estate.

His funeral is expected to be held on Wednesday.

Michael's mother Gina wept as the coffin was carried by his uncles past dozens of wreaths and a shrine to the murdered teenager into the house.

Many young people wearing Celtic and Rangers football shirts with the message 'Mickey-Bo RIP' written on the back gathered in the rain outside the house.

Court appearances

Earlier, two youths appeared in court in connection with his killing.

A 15-year-old teenager was charged with his murder, while a 16-year-old teenager was charged with causing affray.

Both of the boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were remanded in custody at Coleraine Magistrates Court.

At the hearing, a detective opposing bail for the two accused said that the families of both teenagers had been threatened

He also said that tensions were high in Ballymena with fears of reprisals.

Five other teenagers are already in custody charged with the murder of the 15-year-old St Patrick's College pupil in Ballymena on 7 May.