Boy murder accused 'had weapons'

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

One of the five accused of murdering Michael McIlveen kept a baseball bat and other illegal weapons to use against Catholics, a court has heard.

A witness made the claim at the trial of Christopher Francis Kerr, 22, of Carnduff Drive, Ballymena.

He said Mr Kerr bought and sold knives, one a Chinese sword which he allegedly said could "go through Catholic backs".

During questioning by defence the witness agreed Mr Kerr could have been joking, but said "he never laughed".

The witness also told the jury that accused had a black baseball bat which the accused told him was for his own protection and "for giving Catholics a beating".

The witness said he had seen the bat three or four weeks before the 15-year-old schoolboy was attacked in a car park in Ballymena town centre in may 2006.

He added: "It looked brand new and it looked like it wasn't for playing with, it looked like it was for giving beatings."

Mr Kerr and four other people deny murdering Michael McIlveen on 8 May, 2006.

A 20-year-old has already pleaded guilty to the murder and is awaiting sentence.

The case continues.