Murdered boy hit 'over 60 times'

Michael McIlveen died after being attacked by a gang in May 2006

The trial of those accused of murdering Michael McIlveen has heard one of his friends describe how he tried to fight off a group attacking the teenager.

The court heard a tape of a police interview with the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He said one of the accused, Mervyn Wilson Moon from Douglas Terrace, who has admitted the murder charge, "nailed him with a baseball bat."

Five others are accused of murdering the 15-year-old in May 2006.

One faces a lesser charge.

In the taped interview, Michael McIlveen's friend told police how, as he fought off and held one attacker, another would take his place.

He said the boy was hit with the baseball bat, punched and kicked more than 60 times.